: an ancient Greek coin or weight equal to ¹/₆ drachma
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebCharon’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