Groat

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/ɡroʊt/ (US), /ɡrəʊt/ (UK)

Definitions

• A historical British silver coin, worth four pence, used from the 13th to 19th century.
• Hulled and crushed grain, especially oats, used for food.

Usage Examples

• He found an old groat in his grandfather’s coin collection.
• Scottish porridge is traditionally made from groats instead of rolled oats.

Etymology

Derived from Middle English grote, from Middle Dutch groot meaning "large," referring to the size of the coin.

Synonyms

Fourpence (for the coin), hulled grain, crushed oats.

Antonyms

Whole grain, rolled oats.

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• US: /ɡroʊt/
• UK: /ɡrəʊt/
• Canada: /ɡroʊt/
• Australia: /ɡrəʊt/

Historical Usage

The groat was introduced in England in the 13th century as a larger silver coin. It remained in circulation until the 19th century. Groats as grain have been used in traditional European and Asian cuisines for centuries.

Cultural Nuances

The phrase "not worth a groat" historically meant something was of little value. In Scotland and Ireland, groats continue to be a common ingredient in porridge.

More Information

Groats are still used in modern cooking, particularly in health-conscious diets. The historical groat coin remains a sought-after item among numismatists.