quinarius

[ kwi-nair-ee-uhs ]

noun

, plural qui·nar·i·i [kwi-, nair, -ee-ahy].

1. a denomination of ancient Roman coinage, issued in silver or gold at various times and undergoing many changes of value.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quinarius¹

1595–1605; < Latin quīnārius; see quinary

Example Sentences

Just as the Western miner reckons the quantity of water by the inch, the Roman estimated it by the quinarius, or amount that could flow through a pipe of one and a quarter finger diameter, under a head of twelve inches.

From Project Gutenberg