shekel Meaning, Definition & Usage

Shek"el noun

Etymology

Heb. shegel, fr. shagal to weigh.

Definitions

1. An ancient weight and coin used by the Jews and by other nations of the same stock. ✍ A common estimate makes the shekel equal in weight to about 130 grains for gold, 224 grains for silver, and 450 grains for copper, and the approximate values of the coins are (gold) $5.00, (silver) 60 cents, and (copper half shekel), one and one half cents.
2. pl. A jocose term for money.