Shilling

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈʃɪlɪŋ/
• Rhymes: -ɪlɪŋ

Old English scilling, Proto-Germanic *skillingaz http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=shilling

Full definition of shilling

Noun

1. A coin formerly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Australia, New Zealand and many other Commonwealth countries.The shilling was worth twelve old pence, or one twentieth of a pound sterling.
2. The currency of Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and Uganda.
3. (US, historical) A currency in the United States, differing in value between states.
4. (US, historical, New York and some other states) The Spanish real, formerly having the value of one eighth of a dollar.

Usage notes

Abbreviations

(in UK, etc) s. or s or
(solidus)

(in Kenya) Ksh; (in Somalia) So. Sh.; (in Tanzania) TSh; (in Uganda) UGS

In East Africa, the names of the currencies usually use the proper noun for the country, not its adjectival form: "Kenya shilling", "Tanzania shilling", etc. Amounts are written with a solidus, probably from the UK usage: "2/50" is 2 shillings, 50 cents (not pence); 30 shillings only is written "30/=".

Synonyms

• (Britain, Ireland, Australia, East Africa) bob, hog
• (Australia) deener

Derived terms

• King's shilling

From shill.

Verb

1. Present participle of shill