sesterce

noun

ses·​terce ˈse-ˌstərs How to pronounce sesterce (audio)
: an ancient Roman coin equal to ¹/₄ denarius

Examples of sesterce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Food was brought from Ostia and neighboring towns, and the price of corn was cut to one-quarter sesterce a pound. Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Sep. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sesterce.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin sestertius, from sestertius two and a half times as great (from its being equal originally to two and a half asses), from semis half of an as, one half + tertius third — more at sesqui-, third entry 1

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sesterce was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near sesterce

Cite this Entry

“Sesterce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sesterce. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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