: an ancient Greek coin or weight equal to ¹/₆ drachma
Examples of obol in a Sentence
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The coins are called obols of the dead or Charon’s obol.—Fox News, 30 June 2020 The tomb was respectfully furnished with worldly goods such as baskets, perfume bottles, clothing, ceramic urns, vessels containing grains and nuts, and Charon’s obol, a coin placed in the mouth or near the body of the dead to ensure safe passage to the Underworld.—Franz Lidz, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2023 Charon’s obol is a term for a coin, typically placed in the mouth of a dead person before burial.—Fox News, 30 June 2020 The coins are called obols of the dead or Charon’s obol.—Fox News, 30 June 2020
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin obolus, borrowed from Greek obolós, obelós — more at obelus
Note:
The word is attested once in Old English, but there is no continuity between this occurrence and later learned use in Modern English.
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of obol was
before the 12th century
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