shroff

[ shrof ]

noun

1. (in India) a banker or money-changer.
2. (in East Asia, especially China) a local expert employed to test the purity of a coin’s metal content, especially silver or gold.

verb (used with object)

1. to test (coins) to ascertain the purity of the metal content, especially silver or gold.

shroff

/ ʃrɒf /

noun

1. (in China, Japan, etc, esp formerly) an expert employed to separate counterfeit money or base coin from the genuine
2. (in India) a moneychanger or banker

verb

1. tr to test (money) and separate out the counterfeit and base

Word History and Origins

Origin of shroff¹

First recorded in 1610–20; earlier sharoffe from Portuguese xarrafo, probably from Gujarati śaraf, from Arabic ṣayrāfī “moneychanger”

Word History and Origins

Origin of shroff¹

C17: from Portuguese xarrafo, from Hindi sarrāf moneychanger, from Arabic

Example Sentences

[WWD]  Editor's note: This story has been updated with a comment from Ms. Lederhaas-Okun's attorney Sabria Shroff.

From The Daily Beast

Reached by phone Friday, the lawyer, Sabrina Shroff, said she would not comment on details of the case.

From The Daily Beast

If any money stamped by a Shroff on examination proved bad, it was exchanged by him, but such cases were extremely rare.

From Project Gutenberg

I have heard of as much as fifty taels (about $70) being paid to an important Shroff-shop for such a transaction.

From Project Gutenberg

There now remains the Shroff, or money dealer, whose services were indispensable, particularly in receipts.

From Project Gutenberg

The Red Wand stood by the abacus, rattling the brown beads with flying fingers, like a shroff.

From Project Gutenberg

The Julamerik shroff sent word that the English sovereign is selling at 16s.

From Project Gutenberg