louis d'or
C2Historical, Literary, Numismatic
Definition
Meaning
A French gold coin first minted in 1640 during the reign of Louis XIII, used until the early 19th century.
A historical term for a specific French gold coin; by extension, can refer to any valuable gold coin or a substantial sum of money in historical contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a historical artifact. In modern usage, it appears almost exclusively in historical texts, novels set in the relevant period, or numismatic contexts. It is not used for contemporary currency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage; the term is equally historical and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes pre-revolutionary France, aristocracy, historical trade, and treasure.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to appear in British historical fiction due to the Napoleonic Wars context.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] paid [Recipient] [Number] louis d'or for [Object].He gave her a louis d'or.The treasure contained louis d'or.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a louis d'or (rare, implies something is worthless compared to great value)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business. Historical usage: in accounts of trade or debt from the 17th-18th centuries.
Academic
Used in history papers, economic history, and numismatic studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in crossword puzzles or historical documentaries.
Technical
Specific term in numismatics (coin collecting) for a series of French coins.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is an old louis d'or.
- The merchant accepted payment in louis d'or.
- In the novel, the mysterious stranger paid for his lodgings with a single, worn louis d'or.
- The treaty's indemnity was calculated not in livres but in louis d'or, underscoring the demand for hard currency.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LOUIS' the French king, 'D'OR' meaning 'of gold'. A golden coin from the time of French kings.
Conceptual Metaphor
VALUE IS A PRECIOUS METAL / WEALTH IS A TANGIBLE OBJECT. The coin represents solid, material wealth from a bygone era.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate as 'Луи Дор' (transliteration). The historical Russian term is 'луидор' (luidor).
- Do not confuse with modern French currency (euro).
- It is not a general term for 'money' (деньги).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Louis d'Or' (capital D) or 'louis dor'.
- Using it to refer to modern money.
- Incorrect plural: 'louis d'ors' (correct: 'louis d'or' is invariable or 'louis').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'louis d'or' most appropriately be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a historical coin and has not been legal tender since the early 19th century.
Its value fluctuated. Initially, it was worth 10 livres tournois, but later it was revalued to 24 livres. Its purchasing power was significant.
Only in a very self-consciously literary or archaic way (e.g., 'That cost me a louis d'or!'). It is not part of modern idiomatic speech.
In English, it is commonly anglicised to /ˌluːi ˈdɔː/ (loo-ee DOR). The original French is /lwi dɔʁ/.