ecu

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈā-ˌkyü  ā-ˈkᵫ 

plural ecus ˈä-ˌkyüz 

ā-ˈkᵫz

: any of various old French units of value

also : a coin representing an ecu

ecu

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˌē-(ˌ)sē-ˈyü 

often capitalized E&C&U

: a money of account based on the currency units of members of the European Union from 1979 up to the introduction of the euro in 1999

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French, literally, shield, from Old French escu, from Latin scutum; from the device of a shield on the coin — more at esquire

Noun (2)

European Currency Unit (influenced by French écu ecu)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1593, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1970, in the meaning defined above