dirhem

American  

[dir-hem, dih-rem, dir-uhm] / dɪrˈhɛm, dɪˈrɛm, ˈdɪr əm /

noun

1. any of various fractional silver coins issued in Islamic countries at different periods.

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Etymology

Origin of dirhem

First recorded in 1780–90; variant of dirham

Example Sentences

"First," said he, "that my hire be a dirhem and a danic, and secondly, that, when the Muezzin calls to prayer, thou shalt let me go pray with the congregation."

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume IV by Payne, John

When the merchants heard this, they hung back and dared not bid another dirhem, knowing what they did of the Vizier's tyranny.

From The Book of the Thousand Nights and One Night, Volume I by Payne, John

There's the dirhem, I can play no more.

From Alroy The Prince Of The Captivity by Disraeli, Benjamin, Earl of Beaconsfield

That is why I took the trouble to find the dirhem.'

From Malayan Literature by Various

But where is the treasure—the silver and the gold, the jewels, medicines, and arms?—These fanatics look wildly around them, but can see nothing, not a single dirhem anywhere.

From Myths and Marvels of Astronomy by Proctor, Richard A. (Richard Anthony)