Paise

/ˈpaɪsi/ noun

Definition

A unit of currency in India and several other South Asian countries, worth much less than a rupee.

Etymology

From Sanskrit 'paisa' meaning 'quarter', since it was originally one-quarter of a rupee. The word has been used in Indian currency systems for centuries and is still the standard plural form.

Kelly Says

Paise is fascinating because it's both singular and plural in English—you can say 'one paise' or 'many paise'—showing how English borrowed words keep their original grammar rules!

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