c. 1500, from Latin pecuniarius "pertaining to money," from pecunia "money, property, wealth," from pecu "cattle, flock," from PIE root *peku- "wealth, movable property, livestock" (source of Sanskrit pasu- "cattle," Gothic faihu "money, fortune," Old English feoh "cattle, money").
Livestock was the measure of wealth in the ancient world, and Rome, like any other culture, was essentially a farmer's community. That pecunia was literally "wealth in cattle" was still apparent to Cicero. For a possible parallel sense development in Old English, see fee, and compare, evolving in the other direction, cattle. Compare also Welsh tlws "jewel," cognate with Irish tlus "cattle," connected via notion of "valuable thing," and, perhaps emolument.
实用例句
1. She denies obtaining a pecuniary advantage by deception.
她否认通过欺骗手段获得经济利益。
来自辞典例句
2. Some compromise between the psychological and pecuniary consideration must therefore be sought.
因之,我们不得不在心理上的考虑和金钱上的考虑两者之间谋取折衷妥协.
来自辞典例句
3. She seemed averse to being under pecuniary obligations.
她似乎不愿在经济上仰人鼻息.
来自辞典例句
4. Why not make a pecuniary sacrifice?
为什么不能在用度上紧缩一点 呢 ?
来自辞典例句
5. She is so independent that she refused all pecuniary aid.
