asper

Meaning

Noun

Any one of several small coins, circulated around the eastern Mediterranean area from the 12th to 17th centuries.

Adj

Rough or harsh; severe, stern, serious.

Synonyms

apron

rhone streber

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæspə/

Etymology

From Middle English asper, from Middle French aspre or Italian aspro, both from Ancient Greek ἄσπρον (áspron), from neuter of ἄσπρος (áspros, “white”), from Latin asper (“rough, newly minted”).