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guilder

the former currency of the Netherlands

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Where does the word "guilder" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch gulden, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

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Where does the word "guilder" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch gulden, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Guilder’s story begins in Middle Dutch: gulden meant “golden (coin).” 'golden', short for 'gulden florijn', golden florin. It reached English by 1400s as guilder. The Dutch guilder lasted until the euro replaced it in 2002. Today, guilder means the former currency of the Netherlands.

  1. Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval gulden "golden (coin)", 'golden', short for 'gulden florijn', golden florin.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s guilder "Dutch coin", the Dutch guilder lasted until the euro replaced it in 2002.

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