obole
Very Low (Obsolete/Historical/Term of Art)Historical, Literary, or Technical (Numismatics/Medical History)
Definition
Meaning
A small, historically obsolete coin of low value used in medieval France.
Used in historical contexts to denote an insignificant sum of money. In medical/anatomical contexts (obsolete), can refer to a small weight or a minute quantity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A fossil word. Its primary modern use is in historical writing. May appear in literary texts to evoke antiquity or to signify a trivial amount. The related term 'obolus' is more common in classical contexts (e.g., Charon's obol).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in modern usage. Both varieties encounter the word only in historical/literary contexts.
Connotations
Archaism, antiquity, triviality.
Frequency
Extremely rare and equally obscure in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] was not worth an obole.He paid a mere [Number] oboles.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “not worth an obole (worth nothing)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Historical/numismatic texts discussing medieval French economy.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Term of art in numismatics; obsolete term in medical history for a small weight (~0.5-1g).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old story, the poor man had not a single obole to his name.
- The tax was a mere three oboles, yet it caused great unrest among the peasantry.
- The historian noted that the feudal dues, often quantified in oboles and deniers, were a symbolic assertion of lordly power as much as a fiscal tool.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'OBOLE' as 'O, a small BOLE (a lump of metal)'. A small, lump-like coin of little value.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MEASURE OF WORTH -> 'not worth an obole' maps to COMPLETELY WORTHLESS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with Russian 'обол' (obol) - a type of ancient Greek coin/weight (obolus), which is related but not identical. The French 'obole' is a later, distinct coin.
- Do not confuse with 'обелить' (to whiten, to acquit).
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /əʊˈbəʊl/ (like 'noble').
- Using in contemporary financial contexts.
- Spelling as 'obol' (the more common classical form) when specifically referring to the French coin.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'obole' be most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an obsolete or historical term. You will only encounter it in texts dealing with medieval history, numismatics, or in literary works aiming for an archaic flavour.
'Obolus' is the Latin/Greek term for a small silver coin used in antiquity (famous as 'Charon's obol' placed on the dead's eyes). 'Obole' is the French derivative, referring specifically to a medieval French copper coin of minimal value.
In British English, it's /ˈɒb.əl/ (like 'OB-uhl'). In American English, it's /ˈɑː.bəl/ (like 'AH-buhl'). The stress is on the first syllable.
Yes, primarily in the fixed phrase 'not worth an obole', meaning utterly worthless. This is its most likely modern figurative usage, though still very rare.