guinea
UK[ˈɡɪni]US[ˈɡɪni]
n
A former British gold coin worth one pound and one shilling, or the amount of that money.
n
A term used in the names of certain things, especially in the UK, such as the 'guinea pig' or 'guinea fowl'.
Etymology
The word 'guinea' entered English in the mid-17th century as the name for a gold coin first minted for the British African trade. It was named after the Guinea coast of West Africa, the source of the gold. The coin's value was officially set at one pound sterling but fluctuated before being fixed at 21 shillings (one pound and one shilling) in 1717. This specific monetary value led to the term's enduring use in professional fees and luxury goods long after the coin was demonetized in 1813, and its subsequent application in the names of animals like the guinea fowl (imported from the region) and the guinea pig (possibly due to the coin's association with its cost or exotic origin).
Analysis
The word 'guinea' is a simplex loanword. It originates from the name of the Guinea region in West Africa, from which gold used to mint the original coins was obtained. Its functional role is as a proper noun converted into a common noun.
Examples
The racehorse was sold at auction for 50,000 guineas.
She used a guinea as a decorative weight on her desk.
The veterinarian specializes in treating guinea pigs and other small rodents.