besa

noun

be·​sa

ˈbā-sə

plural bese

ˈbā-(ˌ)sā

or besas

1

a

: a coin issued from 1909 to 1921 for use in Italian Somaliland where it was worth ¹/₁₀₀ of a rupia

b

: a corresponding unit of value

the circulation of 2-besa and 4-besa coins

2

a

: a copper coin formerly used in Ethiopia where it was worth ¹/₁₀₀ of a talari

b

: a corresponding unit of value

a ¹/₂-besa coin was struck

Word History

Etymology

Italian

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