Meaning of "obolus" in English

The term "obolus" refers to a small unit of currency in ancient Greece, traditionally considered one-sixth of a drachma. It was typically used in Greek city-states for everyday transactions and often took the form of a silver coin. In mythology, an "obolus" was also the coin placed in the mouth of the deceased as a payment for Charon, the ferryman who transported souls across the River Styx to the afterlife. Consequently, the term can also symbolize a passage to the afterlife or an offering to the gods.

Meaning of "obolus" in French

In French, "obolus" carries a similar historical connotation as in English. It refers to a small ancient Greek coin, particularly recognized as one of the lesser denominations once used in Greek economic exchanges. Like in English, it also represents the cultural and mythological tradition where an "obolus" is placed in the mouth of the deceased, serving as a payment for the ferryman Charon in Greek mythology. This tradition underscores its significance in cultural and religious contexts as a symbol of passage.

Pronunciation of "obolus" in English

Phonetic Transcription: [ˈɒbələs]

Pronunciation Variations: English pronunciation of "obolus" may vary slightly based on regional accents. For instance, American English might pronounce it with a slightly different vowel sound, but it generally maintains the same stress and syllable pattern.

Pronunciation of "obolus" in French

Phonetic Transcription: [ɔbɔlys]

Pronunciation Variations: In French, regional accents might influence the pronunciation slightly, but the standard French pronunciation remains largely consistent with the given transcription, maintaining a softer "u" sound compared to English.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

  1. The museum displayed an ancient obolus from Athens. (Le musée exposait un obolus ancien d'Athènes.)
  2. She placed an obolus in the coin collection. (Elle a placé un obolus dans la collection de pièces.)
  3. In mythology, an obolus was used to pay Charon. (Dans la mythologie, un obolus était utilisé pour payer Charon.)
  4. The archaeological site yielded several oboli. (Le site archéologique a produit plusieurs oboles.)
  5. Each obolus depicted an owl on one side. (Chaque obolus représentait une chouette d'un côté.)
  6. The obolus was part of the young man's inheritance. (L'obolus faisait partie de l'héritage du jeune homme.)
  7. Historians debate the exact value of an obolus. (Les historiens débattent de la valeur exacte d'un obolus.)
  8. Collectors often seek silver oboli from antiquity. (Les collectionneurs recherchent souvent des oboles en argent de l'antiquité.)
  9. She found an obolus at the flea market. (Elle a trouvé un obolus au marché aux puces.)
  10. The obolus is a testament to ancient Greek trade. (L'obolus est un témoignage du commerce grec antique.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "obolus" in English

Synonyms: coin, drachma, currency, token

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: drachma, talent, shekel, denarius

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "obolus" in French

Synonyms: pièce, monnaie, jeton

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: drachme, talent, sicle, denier

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