ecu
1 of 2noun (1)
ˈā-ˌkyü 
ā-ˈkᵫ
ā-ˈkᵫ plural ecus ˈä-ˌkyüz
ā-ˈkᵫz
: any of various old French units of value
also : a coin representing an ecu
ecu
2 of 2noun (2)
ˌē-(ˌ)sē-ˈyü
often capitalized E&C&U
: a money of account based on the currency units of members of the European Union from 1979 up to the introduction of the euro in 1999
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle French, literally, shield, from Old French escu, from Latin scutum; from the device of a shield on the coin — more at esquire
Noun (2)
European Currency Unit (influenced by French écu ecu)
First Known Use
Noun (1)
circa 1593, in the meaning defined above
Noun (2)
1970, in the meaning defined above