Main Entry:

¹ecu

Pronunciation:

\ˈā-ˌkyü, ā-kue\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ecus \-ˌkyüz, -ku̅e̅\

Etymology:

Middle French, literally, shield, from Old French escu, from Latin scutum; from the device of a shield on the coin — more at esquire

Date:

circa 1593

: any of various old French units of value ; also : a coin representing an ecu