obolus

[ ob-uh-luhs ]

noun

, plural ob·o·li [ob, -, uh, -lahy].

1. a modern Greek unit of weight equal to 0.1 gram.
2. obole.

obolus

/ ˈɒbələs; ˈɒbɒl /

noun

1. a modern Greek unit of weight equal to one tenth of a gram
2. a silver coin of ancient Greece worth one sixth of a drachma

Word History and Origins

Origin of obolus¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek obolós small coin, weight

Word History and Origins

Origin of obolus¹

C16: via Latin from Greek obolos small coin, nail; related to obelos spit, variant of obelus

Example Sentences

He sold his manuscripts, and secured to himself, from the sale, a sum of four oboli a day, which was to be his whole income.

From Project Gutenberg

All those who could not produce the required obolus were obliged to wait one hundred years, at the end of which time Charon reluctantly ferried them over free of charge.

From Project Gutenberg

The architects who superintended the building of the temple of Polias, on the other hand, got only 6 oboli per day, and the contractor 5.

From Project Gutenberg

This resembles the practice of the Greeks and Romans, of placing an obolus, Charon’s fee, in the mouth of the deceased.

From Project Gutenberg

I will none of thee; not a franc, not an obolus.

From Project Gutenberg