tael

[ teyl ]

/ teɪl /

Save This Word!

noun

liang.

any of various other similar units of weight in the Far East.

a former Chinese money of account, being the value of this weight of standard silver.

QUIZ

TEST YOUR MERIT ON THESE NEW WORDS IN 2021

The Dictionary added new words and definition to our vast collection, and we want to see how well-versed you are in the formally recognized new lingo. Take the quiz!

Question 1 of 8

What does JEDI stand for?

justice, equity, diversity, inclusion

justice, energy, determination, instruction

joy, equality, diversity, involvement

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of tael

1580–90; <Portuguese <Malay tahil liang

Words nearby tael

Tae Bo, taedium vitae, Taegu, Taejon, tae kwon do, tael, ta'en, taenia, taeniacide, taeniafuge, Taenia saginata

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use tael in a sentence

“These are five-tael boxes, more than two pounds,” said Nares, weighing one in his hand.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 13 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
The tael became thinner and thinner until 2,000 of them piled together made less than three inches in height.
Amusements in Mathematics|Henry Ernest Dudeney
The tael is not a coin, but a certain weight of silver, and therefore its value fluctuates with the value of silver.
The Problem of China|Bertrand Russell
But one meets persistently the word “tael” in their estimate of the value of things.
Negritos of Zambales|William Allan Reed

Rupees are also current, and at this time were equivalent to 400 cash—the tael at the same time being worth 1260 cash.
An Australian in China|George Ernest Morrison

British Dictionary definitions for tael

tael

/ (teÉªl) /

noun

a unit of weight, used in the Far East, having various values between one to two and a half ounces

(formerly) a Chinese monetary unit equivalent in value to a tael weight of standard silver

Word Origin for tael

C16: from Portuguese, from Malay tahil weight, perhaps from Hindi tolÄ? weight of a new rupee, from Sanskrit tulÄ? weight

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition Â© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 Â© HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Apr	JUL	Oct
	26
2017	2021	2023