dirhem

noun

dir·​hem
də̇rˈ(h)em
variants or less commonly dirham
plural dirhems also dirhams
1
: a Muslim unit of weight originally established in Arabia as equal to two thirds of the Attic drachma or nearly 45 grains, later used with varying values in Persia, Turkey, and North Africa, but by the 1930s found as a chief unit only in Egypt, there being equal to about 41 grains
2
a
: a silver coin of Muslim countries the first issues of which in the 8th century weighed one dirhem
b
: a unit of value equivalent to the value of a dirhem coin originally ¹/₁₀ of a dinar
c
: an old silver 50-fils piece of Iraq

Word History

Etymology

Arabic dirham, from Latin drachma drachma

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near dirhem

Cite this Entry

“Dirhem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dirhem. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!