escudo
C1/C2 (very low frequency, historical/numismatic term)formal, historical, technical (finance/numismatics)
Definition
Meaning
The basic monetary unit of Portugal (before the euro) and of several former Portuguese colonies.
A former currency, also used as a term for a gold or silver coin bearing a coat of arms (shield) from Spain or Portugal; or a heraldic shield/coat of arms itself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a historical and numismatic term. In contemporary contexts, it refers to past currencies. Can also refer to a heraldic shield, though this is a specialized usage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both varieties use it as a historical term. Slight preference for 'peseta' (Spanish) over 'escudo' (Portuguese) in general US historical reference due to demographics.
Connotations
Historical, obsolete currency; associated with Portugal, Chile, or Mozambique.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both, marginally higher in UK due to historical ties to Portugal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the [Nationality] escudoexchange [amount] for escudosworth [number] escudosVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth an escudo (very low value)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Historical financial reporting: 'Assets were denominated in Portuguese escudos.'
Academic
In economic history or colonial studies: 'The introduction of the escudo standardized colonial currency.'
Everyday
Rarely used. Possibly when discussing old coins or travel: 'I found some old Portuguese escudos in a drawer.'
Technical
Numismatics (coin collecting) or heraldry: 'A 17th-century Spanish silver escudo.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- escudo-denominated bonds
American English
- escudo-based economy
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Portugal used the escudo before the euro.
- The museum displayed a collection of gold escudos from the colonial era.
- Economists analysed the instability of the Chilean escudo prior to the currency reform of 1975.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think ESCape to UDO (you do) Portugal, but you need the old currency, the ESCUDO.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURRENCY IS A SHIELD (from its etymology: 'escudo' means 'shield' in Spanish/Portuguese).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'щит' (shield) as a physical object in non-heraldic contexts.
- Not a current currency, so avoid using for 'euro' or 'рубль'.
- Different from 'экю' (ECU - European Currency Unit).
Common Mistakes
- Using it to refer to current Portuguese money (now the Euro).
- Pronouncing it as /ɛsˈkʌdəʊ/.
- Confusing it with the Spanish 'peseta'.
Practice
Quiz
In which field, besides finance, might you encounter the word 'escudo'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a former currency. Portugal and its former colonies have adopted other currencies like the euro or new national currencies.
It literally means 'shield' in Spanish and Portuguese, referring to the coat of arms often featured on the coins.
Commonly as /ɛˈskudoʊ/, with a clear 'oo' sound in the final syllable.
Yes, in specialized contexts like heraldry, it can refer to a shield or coat of arms.