arles

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

arles
    n 1: money given by a buyer to a seller to bind a contract [syn:
         {earnest money}, {arles}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Arles \Arles\, n. pl. [Cf. F. arrhes, Scot. airles. Cf. {Earles
   penny}.]
   An earnest; earnest money; money paid to bind a bargain.
   [Scot.]
   [1913 Webster]

   {Arles penny}, earnest money given to servants. --Kersey.
      [1913 Webster]