dollar
UK[ˈdɒlə]US[ˈdɑːlər]
n
the unit of money used in the us, canada, australia, and some other countries.
n
a banknote or coin worth one dollar.
Etymology
the word 'dollar' has a fascinating journey that begins in a specific geographical location. it originates from 'joachimsthaler', the name for a silver coin minted in the 16th century from the mines of joachimsthal (meaning 'joachim's valley') in bohemia. these high-quality coins became widely known and circulated simply as 'thaler'. the term entered english via the dutch or low german form 'daler' in the 1500s, referring to various european large silver coins. its modern, abstract meaning as the standard monetary unit was cemented when the united states adopted it in the late 18th century, naming its currency after the widely recognized spanish peso or 'piece of eight', which was itself a descendant of the thaler tradition.
Analysis
the word 'dollar' is a loanword from early modern german 'thaler', itself a shortening of 'joachimsthaler', a coin from the silver mines of joachimsthal (now jáchymov, czech republic). the german 'thal' means 'valley'. it is not productively segmented in modern english.
Examples
the book costs twenty dollars.
he found a dollar coin on the sidewalk.
the strong dollar affects international trade.