Main Entry: dime

Pronunciation: \ˈdīm\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, tenth part, tithe, from Anglo-French disme, dime, from Latin decima, from feminine of decimus tenth, from decem ten — more at ten

Date: 1786

1 a : a coin of the United States worth ¹⁄₁₀ dollar b : a petty sum of money
2 : a Canadian 10-cent piece
3 slang : a packet containing 10 dollars worth of an illicit drug (as marijuana) —called also dime bag

— a dime a dozen : so plentiful or commonplace as to be of little esteem or slight value

— on a dime 1 : in a very small area <these cars can turn on a dime>
2 : instantly