tetradrachma: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / C2Academic, Technical (Numismatics, Ancient History, Archaeology)
Quick answer
What does “tetradrachma” mean?
An ancient Greek silver coin, equivalent to four drachmae, widely used in the Hellenistic world.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient Greek silver coin, equivalent to four drachmae, widely used in the Hellenistic world.
In numismatics (the study of coins), a standard monetary unit and a significant artifact for understanding ancient economies, art, and history.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling follows standard local conventions for transliterated Greek words (typically without final '-a' modification).
Connotations
Scholarly, precise, related to ancient history or coin collecting.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, limited to highly specialized fields.
Grammar
How to Use “tetradrachma” in a Sentence
The [ADJECTIVE] tetradrachma [VERB]...A tetradrachma from [PLACE/PERIOD]worth a tetradrachmaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tetradrachma” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The tetradrachma coinage of the period is highly sought after.
American English
- The tetradrachma coinage of the period is highly sought after.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history, archaeology, and numismatic publications. E.g., 'The Athenian owl tetradrachma was the dominant trade currency.'
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in numismatics for classifying and describing ancient Greek coinage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tetradrachma”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tetradrachma”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tetradrachma”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈtɛtrəˌdrætʃmə/ (adding a 't' sound).
- Using it to refer to modern money.
- Incorrect plural: 'tetradrachmas' is acceptable, but 'tetradrachmae' is more traditional in academic writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an ancient historical artifact and has not been used as currency for centuries.
Its purchasing power varied, but it represented significant value, potentially covering several days' wages for a skilled labourer or buying a large amount of grain.
Both 'tetradrachmas' (anglicized) and 'tetradrachmae' (from the original Greek/Latin plural) are acceptable, with the latter being preferred in academic contexts.
No, it is a highly specialized term. Learners should prioritise core vocabulary. It is relevant only for those studying ancient history, archaeology, or numismatics.
An ancient Greek silver coin, equivalent to four drachmae, widely used in the Hellenistic world.
Tetradrachma is usually academic, technical (numismatics, ancient history, archaeology) in register.
Tetradrachma: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtɛtrəˈdrækmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtɛtrəˈdrækmə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TETRA (four) + DRACHMA (Greek currency). It's a FOUR-drachma coin.
Conceptual Metaphor
A WINDOW TO THE PAST (as a physical artifact revealing historical trade, art, and politics).
Practice
Quiz
What was a tetradrachma?