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louis

louis (gold coin)

noun LWEE Rare

Origin: Named after King Louis XIII of France, who introduced it in 1640.

Usage Note

louis (also louis d'or) was a French gold coin used from the 17th century until the Revolution. It is still referenced in literature and history, and sometimes used informally to mean a sum of money. The word is identical in singular and plural (un louis, des louis) since it ends in -s.

Examples

"Il a misé quelques louis sur la table."

Natural Translation

He wagered a few louis on the table.

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