BRACTEATE Meaning and
Definition
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A "bracteate" refers to a type of ancient coin that tends to be thin, flat, and circular in shape. The term is mostly associated with coins minted during the medieval period in Europe, particularly between the 5th and 12th centuries. The defining characteristic of a bracteate is the presence of a single embossed or engraved image on one side, while the other side remains plain or unadorned.
The design on a bracteate can vary, and it often features religious or mythical symbols, such as saints, gods, or animal figures. These coins were typically made from precious metals like gold or silver and were used as a means of trade, currency, or even as votive offerings.
Due to their simplistic design and limited surface area for inscriptions, bracteates are considered early forms of coinage. They were usually minted individually and are relatively rare compared to other types of coins from the same era. Bracteates hold significant cultural and historical value as they offer insights into the art, iconography, and economic systems of medieval Europe.
The study of bracteates and their symbolism falls within the realm of numismatics, a branch of archaeology and history that focuses on coins and currency. The term "bracteate" is derived from the Latin word "bractea," which means a thin metal plate or sheet, emphasizing the flatness and thinness of these ancient coins.
Common Misspellings for BRACTEATE
- vracteate
- nracteate
- hracteate
- gracteate
- beacteate
- bdacteate
- bfacteate
- btacteate
- b5acteate
- b4acteate
- brzcteate
- brscteate
- brwcteate
- brqcteate
- braxteate
- bravteate
- brafteate
- bradteate
- bracreate
Etymology of BRACTEATE
The word "bracteate" comes from the Latin term "bractea", which means "thin metal plate" or "thin metal leaf". The suffix "-ate" is added to indicate the adjective form of the noun. Bracteate is used to describe something that resembles or involves a thin, flat, or leaf-like structure, often in reference to plant parts such as leaves or petals.
Similar spelling words for BRACTEATE
- breastplate,
- breasted,
- brachiate,
- porrected,
- Brigaded,
- brocket,
- bracteolate,
- precoded,
- bracteole,
- Parqueted,
- barricaded,
- preacted,
- brachiation,
- bracket out,
- briquetted,
- bracteata,
- brocade,
- break water,
- porcated,
- brecciate,
- barricadoed,
- brister,
- bracht,
- brockett,
- Bracketed,
- braced,
- brecht,
- brocaded,
- brachiated,
- preguided,
- breakwater,
- pyrgotidae,
- bruster,
- Bractlet,
- brocato,
- parquetted,
- brackett,
- Pargeted,
- breastless,
- pargetted,
- bracteal,
- proctodea,
- breast,
- breastbone,
- proctodaea,
- breastfeed,
- bracket,
- breast-fed,
- parachuted,
- bracted.
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