shekel
noun[Heb. to way; Low L. siclus.]
An ancient weight and coin among the Jews and other nations of the same stock. Dr. Arbuthnot makes the weight to have been equal to pennyweights, 2 4/7 grains, Troy weight, and the value of 2s. 3 3/8d. sterling, or about half a dollar. Others make its value 2s. 6d. sterling. The golden shekel was worht 1. 16. 6. pounds sterling, about $8, 12.