piece of eight

noun phrase

: an old Spanish peso of eight reales

Examples of piece of eight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The largest statue should be of the unnamed woman who talked a pirate into giving her five hundred pieces of eight just to watch her strip. Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024 Avery sent a purse stuffed with pieces of eight to make sure the governor got the point. Sean Kingsley, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of piece of eight was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near piece of eight

Cite this Entry

“Piece of eight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/piece%20of%20eight. Accessed 27 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

piece of eight

: an old Spanish peso of eight reals
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