What does pice mean?
The term pice refers to a unit of currency used in India, Pakistan, and formerly in British India, equivalent to one-hundredth of a rupee. As a small denomination coin, it played a significant role in everyday transactions, especially for small purchases. Although the currency has largely been decimalized and modernized, the term pice remains relevant in historical and cultural contexts. Understanding pice provides insight into the evolution of currency systems in South Asia and their interactions with colonial and global economies.
nounA pice is a unit of currency in some countries, particularly in India and Pakistan, equal to one-hundredth of a rupee. It was also used in British India.
- A unit of currency
- A coin of small denomination
"The old shopkeeper still quoted prices in rupees and pice."
"The cost was only a few pice."
"She earned a few extra pice by walking dogs."
The term 'pice' can be used as a mass noun or a countable noun, with 'pice' serving as both singular and plural.
"She collected a handful of pice from her piggy bank."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of pice
The word 'pice' originates from the Hindi word 'paisā', which means 'money' or 'coin'. This term was adopted into English and other languages during the British colonial period in India. The pice coin itself was introduced by the British East India Company and was used as a standard unit of currency in British India.
How pice is actually used
The term 'pice' is mostly of historical interest now, as the currency has been decimalized in most countries.