noun / proper noun
exchequer
iks-CHEK-er/ɪksˈtʃekər/
A government's treasury, especially that of the United Kingdom.
An official counts the coins held in the government's exchequer.
Etymology
The chessboard image comes from the squared cloth on which royal revenue was reckoned with counters. The counting table's name extended to the department managing the government's money.
In context
Department of Foreign Affairs and our Department of the Exchequer basically was to control the army by starving it of resources
More examples
- Higher tax revenues bring more money into the Exchequer.
- Rebuilding the roads places a strain on the national exchequer.
- The Exchequer funds public services with money collected through taxes.
Forms
exchequer · exchequers
Similar words
- treasury
- The broader term, also used for nongovernmental organizations.
- public purse
- Emphasizes government money available for spending rather than an institution.