from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Money \Mon"ey\, n.; pl. {Moneys}. [OE. moneie, OF. moneie, F.
monnaie, fr. L. moneta. See {Mint} place where coin is made,
{Mind}, and cf. {Moidore}, {Monetary}.]
1. A piece of metal, as gold, silver, copper, etc., coined,
or stamped, and issued by the sovereign authority as a
medium of exchange in financial transactions between
citizens and with government; also, any number of such
pieces; coin.
[1913 Webster]
To prevent such abuses, . . . it has been found
necessary . . . to affix a public stamp upon certain
quantities of such particular metals, as were in
those countries commonly made use of to purchase
goods. Hence the origin of coined money, and of
those public offices called mints. --A. Smith.
[1913 Webster]
2. Any written or stamped promise, certificate, or order, as
a government note, a bank note, a certificate of deposit,
etc., which is payable in standard coined money and is
lawfully current in lieu of it; in a comprehensive sense,
any currency usually and lawfully employed in buying and
selling.
[1913 Webster]
3. Any article used as a medium of payment in financial
transactions, such as checks drawn on checking accounts.
[PJC]
4. (Economics) Any form of wealth which affects a person's
propensity to spend, such as checking accounts or time
deposits in banks, credit accounts, letters of credit,
etc. Various aggregates of money in different forms are
given different names, such as {M-1}, the total sum of all
currency in circulation plus all money in demand deposit
accounts (checking accounts).
[PJC]
Note: Whatever, among barbarous nations, is used as a medium
of effecting exchanges of property, and in the terms of
which values are reckoned, as sheep, wampum, copper
rings, quills of salt or of gold dust, shovel blades,
etc., is, in common language, called their money.
[1913 Webster]
4. In general, wealth; property; as, he has much money in
land, or in stocks; to make, or lose, money.
[1913 Webster]
The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
--1 Tim vi. 10
(Rev. Ver. ).
[1913 Webster]
{Money bill} (Legislation), a bill for raising revenue.
{Money broker}, a broker who deals in different kinds of
money; one who buys and sells bills of exchange; -- called
also {money changer}.
{Money cowrie} (Zool.), any one of several species of
{Cypraea} (esp. {Cypraea moneta}) formerly much used as
money by savage tribes. See {Cowrie}.
{Money of account}, a denomination of value used in keeping
accounts, for which there may, or may not, be an
equivalent coin; e. g., the mill is a money of account in
the United States, but not a coin.
{Money order},
(a) an order for the payment of money; specifically, a
government order for the payment of money, issued at
one post office as payable at another; -- called also
{postal money order}.
(b) a similar order issued by a bank or other financial
institution.
{Money scrivener}, a person who procures the loan of money to
others. [Eng.]
{Money spider}, {Money spinner} (Zool.), a small spider; --
so called as being popularly supposed to indicate that the
person upon whom it crawls will be fortunate in money
matters.
{Money's worth}, a fair or full equivalent for the money
which is paid.
{A piece of money}, a single coin.
{Ready money}, money held ready for payment, or actually
paid, at the time of a transaction; cash.
{plastic money}, credit cards, usually made out of plastic;
also called {plastic}; as, put it on the plastic.
{To make money}, to gain or acquire money or property; to
make a profit in dealings.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MONEY. Gold, silver, and some other less precious metals, in the progress of
civilization and commerce, have become the common standards of value; in
order to avoid the delay and inconvenience of regulating their weight and
quality whenever passed, the governments of the civilized world have caused
them to be manufactured in certain portions, and marked with a Stamp which
attests their value; this is called money. 1 Inst. 207; 1 Hale's Hist. 188;
1 Pardess. n. 22; Dom. Lois civ. liv. prel. t. 3, s. 2, n. 6.
2. For many purposes, bank notes; (q.v.) 1 Y. & J, 380; 3 Mass. 405;
14 Mass. 122; 2 N. H. Rep. 333; 17 Mass. 560; 7 Cowen, 662; 4 Pick. 74;
Bravt. 24; a check; 4 Bing. 179; S. C. 13 E. C. L. R. 295; and negotiable
notes; 3 Mass. 405; will be so considered. To support a count for money had
and received, the receipt by the defendant of bank notes, promissory notes:
3 Mass. 405; 3 Shepl. 285; 9 Pick. 93; John. 132; credit in account, in the
books of a third person; 3 Campb. 199; or any chattel, is sufficient; 4
Pick. 71; 17 Mass. 560; and will be treated as money. See 7 Wend. 311; 8
Wend. 641; 7 S. & R. 246; 8 T. R. 687; 3 B. & P. 559; 1 Y. & J. 380.
3. The constitution of the United States has vested in congress the
power "to coin money, and regulate the value thereof." Art. 1, s. 8.
4. By virtue of this constitutional authority, the following provisions
have been enacted by congress.
1. Act of April 2, 1792, 1 Story's L. U. S. 229.
1. Sec. 9. That there shall be from time to time, struck and coined at
the said mint, coins of gold, silver, and copper, of the following
denominations, values, and descriptions, viz: Eagles; each to be of the
value of ten dollars, or units, and to contain two hundred and forty-seven
grains and four-eighths of a grain of pure, or two hundred and seventy
grains of standard, gold. Half eagles; each to be of the value of five
dollars, and to contain one hundred and twenty-three grains and six-eighths
of a pure, or one hundred and thirty-five grains of standard gold. Quarter
eagles; each to be of the value of two dollars and a half dollar, and to
contain sixty-one grains and seven-eighths of a grain of pure, or sixty-
seven grains and four-eighths of a grain of standard gold. Dollars, or
units; each to be of the value of a Spanish milled dollar, as the same is
now current, and to contain three hundred and seventy-one grains and four-
sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or four hundred and sixteen grains of
standard silver. Half dollars; each to be of half the value of the dollar or
unit, and to contain one hundred and eighty-five grains and ten-sixteenth
parts of a grain of pure, or two hundred and eight grains of standard,
silver. Quarter dollars; each to be of one-fourth the value of the dollar,
or unit, and to contain ninety-two grains and thirteen-sixteenth parts of a
grain of pure, or one hundred and four grains of standard, silver. Dimes;
each to be of the value of one-tenth of a dollar, or unit, and to contain
thirty-seven grains and two sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or forty-one
grains and three-fifth parts of a grain of standard, silver. Half dimes;
each to be of the value of one-twentieth of dollar, and to contain eighteen
grains and nine-sixteenth parts of a grain of pure, or twenty grains and
four-fifth parts of a grain of standard, silver. Cents; each to be of the
value of the one-hundredth part of a dollar, and to contain eleven
pennyweights of copper. Half cents; each to be of the value of half a cent,
and to contain five pennyweights and, a half a pennyweight of copper.
5.-Sec. 10. That upon the said coins, respectively, there shall be
the following devises and legends, namely: Upon one side of each of the said
coins there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an
inscription of the word liberty, and the year of the coinage; and, upon the
reverse of each of the gold and silver coins, there shall be the figure or
representation of an eagle, with this inscription, "United States of
America:" and, upon the reverse of each of the copper coins there shall be
an inscription which shall express the denomination of the piece, namely,
cent or half cent, as the case may require.
6.-Sec. 11. That the proportional value of gold to silver in all
coins which shall, by law, be current as money within the United States,
shall be as fifteen to one, according to quantity in weight, of pure gold or
pure silver; that is to say, every fifteen pounds weight of pure silver
shall be of equal value in all payments, with one pound weight of pure gold;
and so in proportion, as to any greater or less quantities of the respective
metals.
7.-Sec. 12. That the standard for all gold coins of the United
States, shall be eleven parts fine to one part alloy: and accordingly, that
eleven parts in twelve, of the entire weight of each of the said coins,
shall consist of pure gold, and the remaining one-twelfth part of alloy; and
the said alloy shall be composed of silver and copper in such proportions,
not exceeding one-half silver, as shall be found convenient; to be regulated
by the director of the mint for the time being, With the approbation of the
president of the United States, until further provision shall be made by
law. And to the end that the necessary information may be had in order to
the making of such further provision, it shall be the duty of the director
of the mint, at the expiration of a year after commencing the operations of
the said mint, to report to congress the practice thereof during the said
year, touching the composition of the alloy of the said gold coins, the
reasons for such practice, and the experiments and observations which shall
have been made concerning the effects of different proportions of silver and
copper in the said alloy.
8.- Sec. 13. That the standard for all silver coins of the United
States, shall be one thousand four hundred and eighty-five parts fine to one
hundred and seventy-nine parts alloy; and, accordingly, that one thousand
four hundred and eighty-five parts in one thousand six hundred and sixty-
four parts, of the entire weight of each of the said coins, shall consist of
pure silver, and the remaining one hundred and seventy nine parts of alloy,
which alloy shall be wholly of copper.
9.-2. Act of June 28, 1834, 4 Sharsw. cont. of Story's Laws U. S.
2376.
Sec. 1. That the gold coins of the United States shall contain the
following quantities of metal, that is to say: each eagle shall contain two
hundred and thirty-two grains of pure gold, and two hundred and fifty-eight
grains of standard gold; each half-eagle, one hundred and sixteen grains of
pure gold, and one hundred and twenty-nine grains of standard gold; each
quarter eagle shall contain fifty-eight grains of pure gold, and sixty-four
and a half grains of standard gold; every such eagle shall be of the value
of ten dollars; every such half eagle shall be of the value of five dollars;
and every such quarter eagle shall be of the value of two dollars and fifty
cents; and the said gold coins shall be receivable in all payments, when of
full weight, according to their respective values; and when of less than
full weight, at less values, proportioned to their respective actual
weights.
10.-Sec. 2. That all standard gold or silver deposited for coinage
after the thirty-first of July next, shall be paid for in coin under the
direction of the secretary of the treasury, within five days from the making
of such deposit, deducting from the amount of said deposit of gold and
silver, one-half of one per centum: Provided, That no deduction shall be
made unless said advance be required by such depositor within forty days.
11.-Sec. 3. That all gold coins of the United States, minted anterior
to the thirty-first day of July next, shall be receivable in all payments at
the rate of ninety-four and eight-tenths of a cent per pennyweight.
12.-3. Act of January 18, 1837, 4 Sharsw. cont. of Story's Laws U. S.
2524.
Sec. 9. That of the silver coins, the dollar shall be of the weight of
four hundred and twelve and one-half grains; the half dollar of the weight
of two hundred and six and one-fourth grains; the quarter dollar of the
weight of one hundred and three and one-eighth grains; the dime, or tenth
part of a dollar, of the weight of forty-one and a quarter grains; and the
half dime, or twentieth part of a dollar, of the weight of twenty grains,
and five-eighths of a grain. And that dollars, half dollars, and quarter
dollars, dimes and half dimes, shall be legal tenders of payment, according
to their nominal value, for any sums whatever.
13.-Sec. 10. That of the gold coins, the weight of the eagle shall be
two hundred and fifty-eight grains; that of the half eagle, one hundred and
twenty-nine grains; and that of the quarter eagle, sixty-four and one-half
grain;. And that for all sums whatever, the eagle shall be a legal tender of
payment for ten dollars; the half eagle for five dollars and the quarter
eagle for two and a half dollars.
14.- Sec. 11. That the silver coins heretofore issued at the mint of the
United States, and the gold coins issued since the thirty-first day of July,
one thousand eight hundred and thirty-four, shall continue to be legal
tenders of payment for their nominal values, on the same terms as if they
were of the coinage provided for by this act.
15.-Sec. 12. That of the copper coins, the weight of the cent shall be
one hundred and sixty-eight grains, and the weight of the half cent eighty
four grains. And the cent shall be considered of the value of one hundredth
part of a dollar, and the half cent of the value of one two-hundredth part
of a dollar.
16.-Sec. 13. That upon the coins struck at the mint, there shall be
the following devices and legends; upon one side of each of said coins,
there shall be an impression emblematic of liberty, with an inscription of
the word LIBERTY, and the year of the coinage; and upon the reverse of each
of the gold and silver coins, there shall be the figure or representation of
an eagle, with the inscription United States of America, and a designation
of the value of the coin; but on the reverse of the dime and half dime, cent
and half cent, the figure of the eagle shall be omitted.
17.-Sec. 38. That all acts or parts of acts heretofore passed,
relating to the mint and coins of the United States, which are inconsistent
with the provisions of this act, be, and the same are hereby repealed.
18.-4. Act of March 3, 1825, 3 Story's L. U. S. 2005.
Sec. 20. That, if any person or persons shall falsely make, forge, or
counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged, or
counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging, or
counterfeiting any coin, in the resemblance or similitude of the gold or
silver coin, which has been, or hereafter may be, coined at the mint of the
United States; or in the resemblance or similitude of any foreign gold or
silver coin which by law now is, or hereafter may be made current in the
United States; or shall pass, utter, publish, or sell, or attempt to pass,
utter, publish, or sell, or bring into the United States, from any foreign
place, with intent to pass, utter, publish, or sell, as true, any such
false, forged, or counterfeited coin, knowing the same to be false, forged,
or counterfeited, with intent to defraud any body politic, or corporate, or
any other person or persons, whatsoever; every person, so offending, shall
be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction thereof, be punished by
fine, not exceeding five thousand dollars, and by imprisonment, and
confinement to hard labor, not exceeding ten years, according to the,
aggravation of the offence.
19.-Sec. 21. That, if any person or persons shall falsely make, forge,
or counterfeit, or cause or procure to be falsely made, forged or
counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely making, forging or
counterfeiting any coin, in the resemblance or similitude of any copper
coin, which has been, or hereafter may be, coined at the mint of the United
States; or shall pass, utter, publish, or sell, or attempt to pass, utter,
publish or sell, or bring into the United States, from any foreign place,
with intent to pass, utter, publish, or sell as true, any such false,
forged, or counterfeited coin, with intent to defraud any body politic, or
corporate, or any other person or persons whatsoever; every person so
offending, shall be deemed guilty of felony, and shall, on conviction
thereof, be punished by fine, not exceeding one thousand dollars, and by
imprisonment, and confinement, to hard labor, not exceeding three years. See
generally, 1 J. J. Marsh. 202; 1 Bibb, 330; 2 Wash. 282; 3 Call, 557; 5 S. &
R. 48; 1 Dall. 124; 2 Dana, 298; 3 Conn. 534; 4 Harr. & McHen. 199.
20.-5. Act of March 3, 1849, Minot's Statutes at Large of U. S. 397.
21.-Sec. 1. That there shall be, from time to time, struck and coined
at the mint of the United States, and the branches thereof, conformably in
all respects to law, (except that on the reverse of the gold dollar the
figure of the eagle shall be omitted), and conformably in all respects to
the standard for gold coins now established by law, coins of gold of the
following denominations and values, viz.: double eagles, each to be of the
value of twenty dollars, or units, and gold dollars, each to be of the value
of one dollar, or unit.
22.-Sec. 2. That, for all sums whatever, the double eagle shall be a
legal tender for twenty dollars, and the gold dollar shall be a legal tender
for one dollar.
23.-Sec. 3. That all laws now in force in relation to the coins of the
United States, and the striking and coining the same, shall, so far as
applicable, have full force and effect in relation to the coins herein
authorized, whether, the said laws are penal or otherwise; and whether they
are for preventing counterfeiting or debasement, for protecting the
currency, for regulating and guarding the process of striking and coining,
and the preparations therefor, or for the security of the coin, or for any
other purpose.
24.-Sec. 4. That, in adjusting the weights of gold coins henceforward,
the following deviations from the standard weight shall not be exceeded in
any of the single pieces; namely, in the double eagle, the eagle, and the
half eagle, one half of a grain, and in the quarter eagle, and gold dollar,
one quarter of a grain; and that, in weighing a large number of pieces
together, when delivered from the chief coiner to the treasurer, and from
the treasurer to the depositors, the deviation from the standard weight
shall not exceed three pennyweights in one thousand double eagles; two
pennyweights in one thousand, eagles; one and one half pennyweights in one
thousand half eagle;; one pennyweight in one thousand quarter eagles; and
one half of a pennyweight in one thousand gold dollars.
25.-6. Act of March 3, 1851. Minot's Statutes at Large, U. S. 591.
26.-Sec. 11. That from and after the passage of this act, it shall be
lawful to coin at the mint of the United States and its branches, a piece of
the denomination and legal value of three cents, or three hundredths of a
dollar, to be composed of three-fourths silver and one-fourth copper and to
weigh twelve grains and three eighths of a grain; that the said coin shall
bear such devices as shall be conspicuously different from those of the
other silver coins, and of the gold dollar, but having the inscription
United States of America, and its denomination and date; and that it shall
be a legal tender in payment of debts for all sums of thirty cents and
under. And that no ingots shall be used for the coinage of the three cent
pieces herein authorized, of which the quality differs more than five
thousandths from the legal standard; and that in adjusting the weight of the
said coin, the following deviations from the standard weight shall not be
exceeded, namely, one half of a grain in the single piece, and one
pennyweight in a thousand pieces.