zairehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zaire_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezaire, n.
First published 1986; not fully revised

zairenoun

  1. 1967–
    The basic monetary unit of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and of the Republic of Zaire (1971–97); a coin of this value, equal to 100 makuta (see likuta n.).
    In 1997 the zaire was replaced by the franc when the country reverted to being called the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    1. 1967
      They tried to recruit former Katangese gendarmes... They offered seven zaires (£5) to every man who enlisted.
      Times 9 November 6
    2. 1971
      The monetary unit [of the Democratic Republic of the Congo] is the Zaire (Z.) divided into 100 makuta (K.) each worth two American cents. ‘Makuta’ is the plural form of the word ‘likuta’. One Z. equals two U.S. dollars.
      New York Times 27 June 5
    3. 1972
      The Zaire is divided into 100 Makuta and the Likuta (the singular of Makuta) in turn consists of 100 Sengi.
      Times 6 December (Europe & Third World Supplement) p. iii/2 (advertisement)
    4. 1976
      A bribe... Five thousand zaire—ten thousand dollars.
      L. Sanders, Hamlet Warning (1977) xvi. 133

zaire, n. was first published in 1986; not fully revised.

zaire, n. was last modified in July 2023.