drachma

/ˈdrɑkmə/

Other forms: drachmas; drachmae

In Greece, the drachma was once the national currency. The Greek drachma was replaced by the euro in 2002.

The drachma has a long history in Greece, going all the way back to 800 BC. The word derives from a Greek root meaning "to grasp" or "a handful," and the ancient drachma was originally a handful or fistfull of metal sticks used to buy and trade. The modern version of this currency was a variety of metal coins in various denominations. The drachma was retired officially in 2002 and replaced with the euro.

Definitions of drachma

1. noun

   a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains
   synonyms: drachm, dram

   type of:

   apothecaries' unit, apothecaries' weight

   any weight unit used in pharmacy; an ounce is equal to 480 grains and a pound is equal to 12 ounces
2. noun

   formerly the basic unit of money in Greece
   synonyms: Greek drachma

   type of:

   Greek monetary unit

   monetary unit in Greece