lire

noun LEE-reh Less Common

Origin: From Latin libra (pound weight), the same root as the British pound sterling.

Usage Note

Lire is the plural of lira, the former Italian currency replaced by the euro in 2002 — the plural is regular (lira -> lire). Italians still use it nostalgically for old prices, as in valeva mille lire.

Examples

"Costava mille lire prima dell'euro."

Natural Translation

It cost a thousand lire before the euro.

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