n. [ Heb. shegel, fr. shāgal to weigh. ] 1. An ancient weight and coin used by the Jews and by other nations of the same stock. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A common estimate makes the shekel equal in weight to about 130 grains for gold, 224 grains for silver, and 450 grains for copper, and the approximate values of the coins are (gold) $5.00, (silver) 60 cents, and (copper half shekel), one and one half cents. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. pl. A jocose term for money. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Heb Talmud shekīnāh, fr. shākan to inhabit. ] The visible majesty of the Divine Presence, especially when resting or dwelling between the cherubim on the mercy seat, in the Tabernacle, or in the Temple of Solomon; -- a term used in the Targums and by the later Jews, and adopted by Christians. [ Written also Shechinah. ] Dr. W. Smith (Bib. Dict.) [ 1913 Webster ]