Chrema
/ˈkriːmə/noun
Money or material wealth, especially considered as an economic resource.
Did you know?Aristotle’s critique of wealth-seeking, *chrematistics*, derives from the same Greek root and distinguished natural household exchange from the endless pursuit of profit.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
χράομαι (khráomai)
“To use, employ, need, or consult”
5th–4th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
χρῆμα (khrêma)
“A thing, matter, possession, or something useful”
Classical Greek
Ancient Greek
χρήματα (khrḗmata)
“Possessions or money; literally useful things or resources”
4th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
χρηματιστική (khrēmatistikḗ)
“The art or practice of acquiring wealth, later associated with profit-seeking”
19th Century
English
chrema
“A learned English borrowing referring to money or material wealth”
Modern English
English
chrema
“A rare technical term for wealth or money”
Explore more surprising origins