noun
guinea
GIH-nee
noun
1
An old British gold coin, later valued at twenty-one shillings, used before decimal currency.
"The tailor still quoted his prices in guineas long after the coin went out of circulation."
2
Short for guinea fowl, a spotted African bird kept for its meat and eggs.
"The farm keeps a small flock of guineas alongside the chickens."
How to Use Guinea
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old British gold coin worth 21 shillings, or a type of African fowl.
When to use it
As a slur for an Italian person, this word is offensive and should be avoided.
Word Forms
guineas plural
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The tailor still quoted his prices in _____ long after the coin went out of circulation.
Etymology
Named after Guinea, the old term for West Africa, where the gold used to mint the coin originally came from.