Definition: Euro

From New World Encyclopedia

Etymology 1

The name euro was the winner of a contest open to the general public to propose names for the new European currency, and as such is technically a neologism, although it obviously alludes to the common root of geographical names for the continent Europe, derived from Latin Europa, from Ancient Greek Εá½Ïώπη or EurṓpÄ“, the name in Greek mythology of a princess, abducted by Zeus as a bull across the Bosporus. According to the official story, the term was coined by Belgian teacher and esperantist Germain Pirlot in 1995, who suggested it in a letter to Jacques Santer, then President of the European Commission.

Noun

euro (plural euros or euro)

  1. The currency unit of the European Monetary Union. Symbol: €
  2. A coin with a face value of one euro.
  3. Abbreviation of European in any sense.

Usage notes

The plural form euro was previously recommended for use in official European documents written in English, but this recommendation has been amended to euros. However, in Irish English the plural euro is now well-established.

Derived terms

  • euro area
  • euro coin
  • eurozone

Etymology 2

From Adnyamathanha yuru, thuru.

Noun

euro (plural euros)

  1. Macropus robustus, a wallaroo (macropod species).

Credits

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