byzant
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old French besant, nominative bezanz, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin Byzantius (“of Byzantium”).
Pronunciation
Noun
byzant (plural byzants)
- (historical) A coin made of gold or silver, minted at Byzantium and used in currency throughout mediaeval Europe.
- 1819, Walter Scott, Ivanhoe:
- “Gramercy! good fellow,” cried Prince John, “thou pleasest me — Here, Isaac, lend me a handful of byzants.”