I. ˈkash, -aa(ə)-, -ai- noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: modification of Middle French or Old Italian; Middle French casse money box, from Old Italian cassa box, money box, from Latin capsa chest, case — more at case
1. obsolete : a money box or chest : till
2.
a. : ready money (as coin, specie, paper money, an instrument, token, or anything else being used as a medium of exchange)
a check made payable to “cash” will be paid in cash to the bearer
broadly : bank deposits and certain readily negotiable paper (as checks, drafts, notes, bearer bonds, coupons)
b. : money or its equivalent paid immediately or promptly after purchasing
sell goods for cash
a cash sale
3. obsolete : an amount of money : sum
keep a large cash on hand
•
- cash on the nail
II. noun
( plural cash )
Etymology: Portuguese caixa, from Tamil kācu, a small copper coin, from Sanskrit karṣa, a weight of gold or silver; akin to Old Persian karsha-, a weight
1. : any of various coins of small value in China and southern India: as
a. : any of several usually copper coins formerly issued in the Madras States of British India, in French India, and Danish Tranquebar
b. : a Chinese coin usually of copper alloy that is about the size of a United States quarter, has a square hole in the center, and was formerly issued by both the central and provincial governments
2. : a unit of value equivalent to one cash coin
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: cash (I)
1. : to pay or obtain cash for (as a check or bond) : exchange for money
the store will cash your check
cash your check at the bank
2. : to lead and win a bridge trick with (a card that is the highest remaining card of its suit)
•
- cash in one's chips
IV. adjective
Etymology: cash (I)
: to be delivered and paid for within a specified period
cash grain
V. abbreviation
cashier