argent

noun

ar·​gent ˈär-jənt How to pronounce argent (audio)
1
archaic : the metal silver
also : whiteness
2
: the heraldic color silver or white
argent adjective

Examples of argent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But argent also means silver in French — a fitting name for a company that exists to help women succeed in the business world. Kiki Georgiou, The Cut, 18 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin argentum "silver, money," going back to Indo-European *h2 r̥ǵ-n̥t-o- (whence also Old Irish argat "silver," Middle Welsh aryant "silver, money," Breton arcʼhant, Sanskrit rajatáḥ "shining white, silvery" [for *ṛjatáḥ], Avestan ərəzata "silver," Armenian arcatʻ), derivative of *h2erǵ-, *h2r̥ǵ- "bright, white" whence, with varying suffixation, Greek árgyros "silver," Tocharian B ārkwi "white," Sanskrit árjunaḥ "shining, white," Hittite ḫarki- "white, bright"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of argent was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near argent

Cite this Entry

“Argent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/argent. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

argent

adjective
ar·​gent ˈär-jənt How to pronounce argent (audio)
: resembling silver : silvery, white

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