ma·ria the·re·sa dollar \məˈrīətəˈrē]sə-, -ˈrēətəˈrē], ]zə-\noun Usage: usually capitalized M&T Etymology: after Maria Theresa died 1780 Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary : an Austrian silver dollar bearing the bust of Maria Theresa and the date 1780 used as a trade coin in the Middle East