argentarii
|ar-gen-ta-ri-i|
/arɡenˈtaːri.i/
(argentarius)
dealers/holders of silver (money)
Etymology
'argentarii' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'argentarius', where 'argentum' meant 'silver'.
'argentarius' developed in Latin from the root 'argent-' (from 'argentum') plus the suffix '-arius' (agentive), originally meaning a person who works with or deals in silver; the term appears in Medieval Latin and in scholarly contexts the Latin forms 'argentarius'/'argentarii' are preserved.
Initially it meant 'worker or dealer in silver'; over time it evolved to the more specific occupational sense 'money-changer' or 'banker'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
nominative plural of 'argentarius': bankers or money-changers in ancient Rome.
The argentarii negotiated exchange rates in the forum.
Synonyms
Noun 2
genitive singular form of 'argentarius' (indicating possession: 'of the banker').
The inscription read 'tabula argentarii', showing the tablet belonged to the banker.
Last updated: 2025/10/11 19:34