noun
ducat
DUK-ut/ˈdʌkət/
A gold or silver coin formerly used in Europe.
The museum displays a gold ducat alongside other old European coins.
Etymology
Ducatus originally meant “duchy” before naming a coin. The coin name apparently referred to the name or effigy of Roger II, Duke of Apulia, on the early issues.
In context
Dead, for a ducat, dead! [Behind] O, I am slain! O me, what hast thou done?
More examples
- The merchant paid three ducats for the cloth.
- She examines a silver ducat under a magnifying glass.
- This ducat bears the portrait of a European ruler.
Forms
ducat · ducats
Similar words
- florin
- A different historical European coin, often made of gold.
- thaler
- A large historical European silver coin, not a gold coin.