doit in English
- doit⇄doit, noun.
1. a former Dutch copper coin worth about 1/4 cent.
2. (Figurative.) a small sum; trifle; bit.
Ex. No one cares a doit what he thinks.
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Doit
Part of Speech
Noun (archaic)
Pronunciation
/dɔɪt/
Definitions
- A small coin, once used in the Netherlands or other parts of Europe, especially in the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Historically, a very small sum of money, often used in the context of daily transactions or small payments.
Usage Examples
- The merchant handed over a doit in change for the bread.
- He only needed a few doits to buy the simple meal.
Etymology
The term "doit" originates from Dutch, where it was used as a small coin. The word likely comes from the Middle Dutch "doet," which was a variant of "doet" or "doit," meaning a small coin or token. The word was adopted into English during the 17th century to refer to similar small coins used in trading.
Synonyms
- Cent
- Small coin
- Token
Antonyms
- Fortune
- Wealth
- Riches
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Monedita | /moneˈðita/ |
| French | Petit sou | /pə.ti su/ |
| German | Kleiner Münz | /ˈklaɪnɐ mʏnts/ |
| Italian | Moneta piccola | /moˈnɛːta ˈpikkola/ |
| Portuguese | Moedinha | /mweˈdʒiɲɐ/ |
| Russian | Мелкая монета | /ˈmʲel.kɨjə mɐˈnʲetə/ |
| Chinese | 小硬币 | /xiǎo yìngbì/ |
| Arabic | عمله صغيرة | /ʕamalat saɣiˈra/ |
| Hindi | छोटा सिक्का | /ʧoːʈa sɪkːa/ |
| Japanese | 小銭 | /kozeni/ |
| Korean | 작은 동전 | /jageun dongjeon/ |
| Turkish | Yarım kuruş | /jaɾɯm kuɾuʃ/ |
| Greek | Μικρό κέρμα | /miˈkɾo ˈkerma/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- The word "doit" is not commonly used in modern English, but historical variants have been recorded, especially in older British or American texts.
- In regions with Dutch-speaking influences, pronunciation might be closer to /dɔɪt/ or /duɪt/.
Historical Usage
Historically, the "doit" was a coin of very low value, used mainly in the Netherlands and surrounding regions during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was adopted into English during the time of Dutch influence in trade, particularly in maritime regions. Over time, the coin lost its use, and the word "doit" became obsolete in modern English.
Cultural Nuances
The term "doit" often carries a historical and cultural weight in literature, indicating not only a small monetary value but also a reflection of the time when commerce and trade were conducted with many different types of small, locally valued currencies. Today, its usage is largely confined to historical or literary references.
More Information
The term "doit" is part of the rich history of coinage and monetary systems in early Europe. While it is no longer in circulation, it remains a useful term in discussions about historical economics and cultural history. As a linguistic artifact, "doit" provides insight into the small-scale transactions that were commonplace in earlier centuries and how such terms evolve over time.