agora

noun (1)

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ag·o·ra | \ ˈa-gə-rə

plural agoras or agorae\ ˈa-gə-ˌrē

, -ˌrī \

Definition of agora

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a gathering place especially : the marketplace in ancient Greece

agora

noun (2)

ago·ra | \ ˌä-gə-ˈrä

plural agorot\ ˌä-gə-ˈrōt

Definition of agora (Entry 2 of 2)

: a monetary subunit of the shekel — see shekel at Money Table

History and Etymology for agora

Noun (1)

borrowed from Greek agorá, noun derivative of ageírein "to gather, assemble," of uncertain origin

Note: An Indo-European base *h₂ger- is reconstructible, but Greek ageírein has no easily recognizable congeners. Comparisons with Latin greg-, grex "flock" (allegedly from a reduplicated *gre-g-) and further forms with assumed root extensions from a base *gr- are extremely tenuous.

Noun (2)

borrowed from Modern Hebrewʼăgōrāh, going back to Hebrew, "payment, coin," derivative of ʼāgar "to hire"