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Where does the word "coin" come from? It comes from Latin cuneus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
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Where does the word "coin" come from? It comes from Latin cuneus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).
Coin’s story begins in Latin: cuneus meant “wedge.” The wedge-shaped die used to stamp money. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as coin. Also meant a corner, as in 'quoin'. It reached English by 1300s as coin. 'to coin a phrase' dates from the 1500s. Today, coin means a flat metal piece used as money.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient cuneus "wedge", the wedge-shaped die used to stamp money.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval coin "wedge, die", also meant a corner, as in 'quoin'.
- Stage 3 · English · 1300s coin "die; corner", 'to coin a phrase' dates from the 1500s.