ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abbasi

US //ɑˈbɑsi// ab·basi
  1. 1 Persian silver coin (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical

    a silver coin used in old Persia, named after a famous king.

    a silver coin of Persia introduced by the Safavid Shah Abbas I in the 16th century.

    Example

    The merchant accepted an old abbasi as payment for the silk.

    Example

    The hoard discovered near Isfahan contained several well-preserved abbasi coins, providing insight into Safavid trade liquidities.

    Usage

    The term is primarily encountered in historical texts or numismatic studies.

  2. 2 unit of weight (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical

    an old Persian measurement for how heavy something is.

    a historical Persian unit of weight, approximately equivalent to 12.8 ounces or 360 grams.

    Example

    The recipe called for one abbasi of expensive saffron.

    Example

    Standardizing the abbasi across the provinces was a key administrative challenge for the central government during the 17th century.

    Usage

    Usually functions as a countable noun of measurement.

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  1. 3 Afghan bronze coin (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Technical

    a bronze coin used in Afghanistan in the early 1900s.

    an Afghan bronze denomination from the early 20th century, valued at four shahi.

    Example

    He found a bronze abbasi while digging in the old market.

    Example

    Numismatists distinguish the Afghan abbasi from its Persian predecessor by its bronze composition and distinct early 20th-century markings.

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