Duro
/ˈdʊə.rəʊ/noun
A former Spanish silver coin, especially the peso or piece of eight, also used as a monetary term in parts of the Spanish-speaking world.
Did you know?The coin’s name came from Spanish duro, “hard,” likely distinguishing the substantial silver peso from softer or lower-value forms of currency.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*deru-
“To be firm, solid, or steadfast”
Classical Latin
Latin
durus
“Hard, tough, lasting, or harsh”
Medieval Latin
Latin
dūrus
“Hard or durable; the source of Romance forms”
Medieval Spanish
Spanish
duro
“Hard; later used substantively for a substantial silver coin”
16th-19th Century
Spanish
peso duro
“A “hard peso,” referring to the Spanish silver peso or piece of eight”
19th Century
English
duro
“An English loanword for a Spanish dollar or peso”