sesterce: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / Very RareHistorical, Academic, Numismatic
Quick answer
What does “sesterce” mean?
An ancient Roman coin and monetary unit, originally of silver and later of bronze, equal to a quarter of a denarius.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient Roman coin and monetary unit, originally of silver and later of bronze, equal to a quarter of a denarius.
A term used in historical and numismatic contexts to denote the coin or as a value unit in classical literature and historical accounting.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage, as the term is confined to specialized historical academia.
Connotations
Carries connotations of classical antiquity, Roman history, and economic archaeology.
Frequency
Equally rare in both British and American academic English.
Grammar
How to Use “sesterce” in a Sentence
[Numeral] + sesterces (e.g., 'one hundred sesterces')be worth [X] sestercesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sesterce” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, archaeological, and classical studies texts discussing Roman economy.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Used in numismatics (coin collecting/study) for precise identification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sesterce”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sesterce”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sesterce”
- Misspelling as 'sestertius' (the fuller Latin form) or 'sesterce'.
- Using it in a modern financial context.
- Pronouncing the final 'e' (it is silent).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an ancient Roman coin and has not been in circulation for over a millennium.
It was worth a quarter of a silver denarius. Its purchasing power varied greatly across Roman history.
No, using it in a modern context would be incorrect and confusing. It is a strictly historical term.
The standard English plural is 'sesterces'. The Latin plural is 'sestertii'.
An ancient Roman coin and monetary unit, originally of silver and later of bronze, equal to a quarter of a denarius.
Sesterce is usually historical, academic, numismatic in register.
Sesterce: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɛstəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛstərs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a sesterce (extremely rare, potential historical allusion)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SESTERCE' contains 'SESTER' like 'semester' – half a year. A sesterce was a quarter of a denarius, linking to the idea of a fraction.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS HISTORY / A MEASURE OF ANTIQUITY.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'sesterce'?