sequin

Definition

Any of various small gold coins minted in Italy and Turkey.

Etymology

Borrowed from French sequin, from Italian zecchino, from zecca (“mint”), from Arabic سِكَّة (sikka, “die for coining, coin”). Doublet of zecchin.

Example Sentences

• "‘Let him receive as many robes of honour and thousands of sequins of gold as he hath spoken words.’"
• "English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Georges, and Louises, doubloons and double guineas and moidores and sequins, the pictures of all the kings of Europe for the last hundred years, strange Oriental pices stamped with what looked like wisps of string or its of spider's web, round pieces and square pieces, and pieces bored through the middle, as if to ware them round your neck - nearly every variety of money in the world must, I think, have found a place in that collection..."
• "His ideas of music-hall costumes had never gone beyond short skirts, a swirl of lace, and glittering sequins; but Miss Antonia had expressed herself on that subject in no uncertain terms."