Definition of 'drachma'

Word Frequency

drachma

(drækmə )

Word forms: plural drachmas

countable noun [num NOUN]

The drachma was the unit of money that was used in Greece. In 2002 it was replaced by the euro.

The drachma was also used to refer to the Greek currency system.

In April 1992 the Greek drachma was the only Community currency not yet part of the EMS exchange-rate mechanism.

Word Frequency

drachma in British

(ˈdrækmə )

noun plural -mas or -mae (-miː)

the former standard monetary unit of Greece, divided into 100 lepta; replaced by the euro in 2002

2. US another name for dram (sense 2)

a silver coin of ancient Greece

a unit of weight in ancient Greece

Word origin of 'drachma'

C16: from Latin, from Greek drakhmē a handful, from drassesthai to seize

Word Frequency

drachma in American

(ˈdrækmə ; drakˈmə)

nounWord forms: plural ˈdrachmas, ˈdrachmae (ˈdrækmi ; drakˈmē), ˈdrachmai (ˈdrækˌmaɪ ; drakˈmīˌ)

an ancient Greek silver coin

an ancient Greek unit of weight approximately equal to the weight of this coin

any of several modern weights or measures

Example sentences containing 'drachma'

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Not back to the drachma but a new national currency. The Sun (2015)Little wonder there are dark mutterings that some in the elite are already planning for the new drachma. Times, Sunday Times (2011)The old drachma currency could return. The Sun (2015)Already, politicians are manoeuvring for the potential world of the new drachma. Times, Sunday Times (2012)The reintroduction of the drachma would spark currency flight, with investors scrambling to move euros offshore. Times, Sunday Times (2012)He suggested the Greeks should swap the euro for old currency the drachma. The Sun (2012)Most experts expect a new drachma to drop by at least 50 per cent from its initial value. Times, Sunday Times (2012)If a new drachma slumps in value, that means that your mortgage value would decrease relative to sterling. Times, Sunday Times (2012)It is probable the currency would initially be set at one drachma to the euro, but then would devalue rapidly. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Greece would essentially have to shut down for an entire weekend as banks begin the tortuous process of switching currencies from the euro to the drachma. The Sun (2012)With a new and substantially devalued drachma, it would have a better future emerging from the ashes of a failed experiment in euro membership. Times, Sunday Times (2011)In Greece itself, the switch to the new drachma would probably not be announced in advance. Times, Sunday Times (2012)So will British tourists be using the old Greek drachma this summer? The Sun (2015)For Greece, the new drachma would be pegged to the euro and that would provide the floor. Times, Sunday Times (2012) Bring back the drachma. Times, Sunday Times (2011)