ˈshekəl noun
( plural shekels -lz ; or she·ka·lim shəˈkälə̇m)
Etymology: Hebrew sheqel (plural shĕqālīm )
1.
a. : any of various ancient units of weight (as of the Babylonians, Hebrews, Syrians) equivalent to a small fraction (as 1/50 or 1/60) of a mina ; especially : a Hebrew unit equal to about 252 grains troy
b. : a unit of value based on the value of a shekel weight of gold or silver
2.
a. : a coin weighing one shekel (as a Tyrian or Phoenician coin or a Hebrew coin of the period between the 2d century B.C. and the 2d century A.D.)
b. shekels plural : money , cash
3. : a small annual fee payable by a Zionist into the general fund of the World Zionist Organization entitling the payer to vote for delegates to the Zionist congress
4. : the basic monetary unit of Israel — see money table