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lira

lira

noun LEE-rah Common
Numbers & Measures Money

Origin: Latin libra, 'scales, pound (weight)'

Also means

lyre

Usage Note

Lira was the official Italian currency until 2002, replaced by the euro. As a musical instrument, la lira is the ancient stringed lyre. When Italians say non ho una lira (I don't have a lira), it colloquially means 'I'm broke.' The phrase valere una lira means to be worth nothing.

Examples

"Prima dell'euro si usava la lira italiana."

Natural Translation

Before the euro, the Italian lira was used.

Literal Translation

Before of-the-euro one-used the lira Italian.

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