Plural of cent, referring to monetary units worth one hundredth of a basic currency unit. In the US, refers to pennies or fractions of a dollar.
From Latin 'centum' meaning 'hundred' via French 'cent.' Adopted in American currency system in 1792, reflecting the decimal organization where 100 cents equal one dollar.
The decimal currency system with 'cents' was revolutionary - before this, currencies often used complex fractions like 240 pence to a pound. The word 'cents' shares its root with 'century,' 'centipede,' and 'percent,' all relating to the number 100.
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