Sou (noun)

1. A small French copper coin used before the French Revolution.
2. A unit of currency used in certain African countries.

Origin:

The word 'sou' is derived from the old french word 'sou' meaning 'a small coin'.

Examples:

1. In the 18th century, the sou was a commonly used coin in France.
2. The sou was a popular currency in West Africa, used for everyday transactions.
3. In the 18th century, a loaf of bread cost about three sous.
4. The sou was replaced by the franc after the French Revolution.
5. In Senegal, the sou is still used as a unit of currency for smaller transactions.