cash
UK[kæʃ]US[kæʃ]
n
Money in the form of coins or banknotes, especially that which is immediately available.
v
To exchange a check or other financial instrument for money in the form of coins or banknotes.
Etymology
The word 'cash' has a fascinating journey through trade and empire. It originates from the Tamil word 'kaasu', meaning a small coin. This term was adopted into Portuguese as 'caixa' during early European colonial trade in South Asia, referring to a money box or coin. The English word 'cash' emerged in the late 16th century from this Portuguese source, initially denoting a box for money before its meaning generalized to the money itself. This evolution from a specific regional coin to a universal term for physical currency perfectly illustrates the flow of commerce and language across cultures.
Analysis
The word 'cash' is a simplex loanword. It entered English as a single, unanalyzable unit from other languages.
Examples
I need to withdraw some cash from the ATM.
The store only accepts cash, not credit cards.
Can you cash this check for me at the bank?