shilling

[ shil-ing ]
/ ˈʃɪl ɪŋ /

noun

a cupronickel coin and former monetary unit of the United Kingdom, the 20th part of a pound, equal to 12 pence: retained in circulation equal to 5 new pence after decimalization in 1971. Abbreviation: s.
a former monetary unit of various other nations, as Australia, Fiji, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Nigeria, equal to one twentieth of a pound or 12 pence.
the monetary unit of Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, equal to 100 cents.
any of various coins and moneys of account used in various parts of the U.S. in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Origin of shilling

before 900; Middle English; Old English scilling; cognate with Dutch schelling, German Schilling, Old Norse skillingr, Gothic skillings

Definition for shilling (2 of 2)

shill
[ shil ]
/ ʃɪl /
Slang.

noun

a person who poses as a customer in order to decoy others into participating, as at a gambling house, auction, confidence game, etc.
a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.

verb (used without object)

to work as a shill: He shills for a large casino.

verb (used with object)

to advertise or promote (a product) as or in the manner of a huckster; hustle: He was hired to shill a new TV show.

Origin of shill

First recorded in 1920–25; origin uncertain

Example sentences from the Web for shilling

British Dictionary definitions for shilling (1 of 2)

shilling
/ (ˈʃɪlɪŋ) /

noun

a former British and Australian silver or cupronickel coin worth one twentieth of a pound: not minted in Britain since 1970 Abbreviation: s, sh
the standard monetary unit of Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda: divided into 100 cents
an old monetary unit of the US varying in value in different states
(in combination) Scot an indication of the strength and character of a beer, referring to the price after duty that was formerly paid per barrel sixty-shilling Symbol: /-

Word Origin for shilling

Old English scilling; related to Old Norse skillingr, Gothic skilliggs, Old High German skilling

British Dictionary definitions for shilling (2 of 2)

shill
/ (ʃɪl) /

noun

slang a confidence trickster's assistant, esp a person who poses as an ordinary customer, gambler, etc, in order to entice others to participate

Word Origin for shill

C20: perhaps shortened from shillaber a circus barker, of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases with shilling

shilling

see cut off (with a shilling).