‖ scudo
(ˈskudəʊ)
Pl. scudi (ˈskudi), 8 erron. scudis.
[It. = OF. escu (mod.F. écu), Sp., Pg. escudo shield, hence used as the name of a coin bearing a shield:—L. scūtum shield.]
A silver coin and money of account formerly current in various Italian states, usually worth about 4 shillings.
In some states a gold scudo of the same value was also used, and occasionally the name was given to gold coins of much higher value.
| 1644 Evelyn Diary 29 Nov., I am told the gardener is annualy alowed 2000 scudi for the keeping it. 1766 Ann. Reg. 121 She found means by her industry to save a sum of 6000 scudis. 1848 Thackeray Van. Fair lxiv, Everybody who had a balance of above five hundred scudi was invited to the balls which this prince of merchants gave. |