fanam

noun

fa·​nam

fəˈnäm

plural -s

1

a

: a small gold or silver coin formerly in widespread use in southern India

b

: a silver coin of Travancore worth ¹/₈ of a rupee issued up until Indian independence in 1947

2

: a unit of value corresponding to a fanam

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Tamil panam, probably from Sanskrit paṇa bet, reward, wealth

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