escudo

[ e-skoo-doh; Portuguese es-koo-doo; Spanish es-koo-thaw ]

noun

, plural es·cu·dos [e-, skoo, -dohz, es-, koo, -d, oo, s, es-, koo, -, th, aws].

1. a coin and monetary unit of Cape Verde, equal to 100 centavos.
2. a former coin and monetary unit of Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique.
3. a former paper money and monetary unit of Chile, equal to 100 condors or 1000 pesos, replaced by the new peso in 1975.
4. any of various former gold coins of Spain, Spanish America, and Portugal.
5. a former silver coin of Spain, discontinued in 1868.

escudo

/ ɪʃˈkuðu; ɛˈskuːdəʊ /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Cape Verde, divided into 100 centavos
2. the former standard monetary unit of Portugal, divided into 100 centavos; replaced by the euro in 2002
3. a former monetary unit of Chile, divided into 100 centesimos
4. an old Spanish silver coin worth 10 reals

Word History and Origins

Origin of escudo¹

1815–25; < Spanish: shield < Latin scūtum

Word History and Origins

Origin of escudo¹

C19: Spanish, literally: shield, from Latin scūtum

Example Sentences

That meant its treasure of Spanish escudos and pieces of eight reached the seabed in one very specific spot.

From BBC

The 350 coins found on July 30 include nine rare pieces, known as royal eight escudos, which were being transported to the King of Spain, according to Brent Brisben.

From The Guardian

Brent Brisben, who owns the rights to the wrecked ships, says the find includes nine rare pieces known as "royal eight escudos".

From BBC

But will a return to the escudo really be the solution?

From The Guardian

“Most voters,” Mr. Kirkegaard said, “will not take a chance on a new drachma, lira, or escudos.”

From New York Times