stater: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Extremely RareSpecialist/Historical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “stater” mean?
An ancient Greek coin of gold or silver.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient Greek coin of gold or silver.
In modern usage, a term for the primary or principal item in a category, or the first in a series; also used in historical and numismatic contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The word is equally rare in both varieties, used primarily in historical/academic contexts.
Connotations
Historical, specialist, archaic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Slightly more likely to appear in British texts due to closer historical ties to classical studies and archaeology.
Grammar
How to Use “stater” in a Sentence
NOUN + of + (material/origin): a stater of gold, a stater of AthensVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Used in archaeology, classical studies, history, and numismatics to describe specific ancient coins.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
A technical term in numismatics and historical archaeology for a specific denomination of coin.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stater”
- Misspelling as 'stator' or 'stater'.
- Using it as a synonym for any old coin, rather than the specific Greek denomination.
- Incorrect plural: 'staters' is correct, not 'stater' for plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare, specialist term used almost exclusively in historical and numismatic contexts.
No, it refers specifically to ancient Greek coins and similar ancient currencies.
The standard plural is 'staters'.
Etymologically, yes. Both derive from the idea of 'standing' or 'establishing.' A stater was a standard coin 'established' by a state, but in modern usage, they are distinct words.
An ancient Greek coin of gold or silver.
Stater is usually specialist/historical/academic in register.
Stater: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsteɪt̬ər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common use.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'STATE' minting its first official COIN – a STATER.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PRECEDENT IS A FIRST COIN (e.g., 'He is a stater in the field' implies a foundational figure).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'stater' primarily used today?