cunhar

Senses

1. 1.

   to mint, to coin

   To manufacture coins or medals by stamping metal

2. 2.

   to coin (a term/phrase)

   To create or invent a new word, expression, or phrase

3. 3.

   to stamp, to imprint

   To mark or impress a design or image onto a surface

Examples

• "O governo cunhou uma nova moeda comemorativa para celebrar o bicentenário."

  The government minted a new commemorative coin to celebrate the bicentennial.

• "Foi Shakespeare quem cunhou a expressão 'ser ou não ser'."

  It was Shakespeare who coined the phrase 'to be or not be'.

• "O artista cunhou seu símbolo em cada peça de arte que produziu."

  The artist stamped his symbol on each piece of art he produced.

Usage

Most commonly used in the figurative sense of "cunhar uma expressão/termo" (to coin a term/phrase). In formal or literary contexts, it can refer to literal minting of currency. The noun form is "cunhagem" (coining, minting).