monometallism

[ mon-uh-met-l-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the use of one metal only, as gold or silver, as a monetary standard.
2. the doctrine or actions supporting such a standard.

monometallism

/ ˌmɒnəʊˈmɛtəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. the use of one metal, esp gold or silver, as the sole standard of value and currency
2. the economic policies supporting a monometallic standard

Derived Forms

• ˌmonoˈmetallist, noun

Other Words From

• mono·metal·list noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of monometallism¹

First recorded in 1875–80; mono- + (bi)metallism

Example Sentences

In order to defend themselves from a flood of cheap and cheapening silver, the Florentine authorities adopted a virtual gold monometallism.

From Project Gutenberg

The completion of this system thus established was provided in section 3586 of the Revised Statutes of 1874, by which the silver coins of the United States were declared legal tender only up to five dollars, thus completing, from December 1873 onwards, the demonetisation of silver, and the establishment of gold monometallism on the English plan.

From Project Gutenberg

They reveal the fact that the Act was not so much a philosophical or theoretical declaration of monometallism, such as might have been expected if Lord Liverpool had still lived to dictate it, but a measure for the protection of and relating almost entirely to silver.

From Project Gutenberg

In France the whole course of public opinion, both before and after the conference of 1876, and in the concluding examination of the Enqu�te of 1865-69, ran strongly in favour of gold monometallism, and the opinion has been unflinchingly held and expressed that only the breaking out of the Franco-German War prevented the adoption of that system in France and in the states of the Latin Union.

From Project Gutenberg

Timon of London, loquitur:— The learned pate Ducks to the golden fool; all is oblique; There's nothing level in our currency But monometallism!

From Project Gutenberg