obolus

[ ob-uh-luh s ]

/ ˈɒb ə ləs /

a modern Greek unit of weight equal to 0.1 gram.

obole.

Origin of obolus

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin < Greek obolós small coin, weight

He asked me for the obolus with which to pay toll across the river, but, unfortunately, I hadn't a cent with me.

Letters of Peregrine Pickle |George P. Upton
Why, if we sate here in rags, we wouldn't press in for an obolus before Belisarius.

The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II |Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Only wish we old willow-wielders in the Elysian Fields could contribute each our obolus.

Punch, or the London Charivari, January 5th, 1895 |Various
No spirit is allowed to enter the leaky craft until he has first paid Charon the fee of a small coin called the obolus.

Stories of Old Greece and Rome |Emilie Kip Baker

Placards in all the known languages forbid you to offer him so much as an obolus.

The Wonders of Pompeii |Marc Monnier

obolus

/ (ˈɒbələs) /

a modern Greek unit of weight equal to one tenth of a gram

a silver coin of ancient Greece worth one sixth of a drachma

C16: via Latin from Greek obolos small coin, nail; related to obelos spit, variant of obelus