Definition of "guinea" []

• A gold coin issued in England from 1663 to 1813 and worth one pound and one shilling. (noun)
• The sum of one pound and one shilling. (noun)
• Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a person of Italian birth or descent. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "For these reasons, in the 1890s the term guinea, which had been used for slaves from the coast of West Africa, was applied to Italian Americans."
• "It has been forbidden to supply the English ships; but for plenty money it is done sometimes; but the finger must be placed upon the nose, and upon the two eyes what you call the guinea; and in six hours where are they?"
• "I yesterday had a present of a guinea from a gentleman, a Mr Vaughn, who had read my book, and had desir'd the publisher to send me to his house, I write now to Mr Lofft, and Mr Gedge."