solidus
noun
sol·i·dus
ˈsä-lə-dəs 
plural solidi
ˈsä-lə-ˌdī
-ˌdē
1
: an ancient Roman gold coin introduced by Constantine (4th century) and used to the fall of the Byzantine Empire (15th century)
2
[Medieval Latin, shilling, from Late Latin; from its use as a symbol for shillings]
: slash sense 4
Examples of solidus in a Sentence
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Before then, the Greek drachma held its value for six centuries, the Byzantine solidus for more than seven centuries, the Arab dinar for about four centuries, and the Spanish silver dollar for about four centuries.
—
Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 10 July 2022
One such fragment was cut from a gold solidus minted in Constantinople by ninth-century Byzantine emperor Theophilos.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2020
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Nathan Lewis, Forbes, 10 July 2022
One such fragment was cut from a gold solidus minted in Constantinople by ninth-century Byzantine emperor Theophilos.
—Alex Fox, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Aug. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Solidus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solidus. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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