£sd en · NOUN
Etymology
An abbreviation of the Latin lībra solidus dēnārius, see also £.
Meanings
- (UK, after 1971, historical, uncountable) The pre-decimal pounds, shillings, pence.
-
(UK, archaic, uncountable) Money in general.
He reins his horses with an air; he treats With scoffing calm whatever powers there be; He gets it straight, puts a bit on, and meets His losses with both lip and £ s. d.
1901, William Henley, Bus-driver:She said, ‘Uncle’s dead and all the money’s gone!’ Then she had the jim-jams. Nothing like £ s. d. for going straight to the heart, is there?
1937, Dorothy L. Sayers, Busman's Honeymoon: