unit of the Russian monetary system, 1550s, also rouble, via French rouble, from Russian rubl', which is of obscure origin; traditionally said to be perhaps from Old Russian rubiti "to chop, cut, hew," so called because the original metallic currency of Russia (14c.) consisted of silver bars, from which the necessary amount was cut off (from Proto-Slavic *rub-, from PIE root *reub-, *reup- "to snatch;" see rip (v.)). But a foreign source (Turkish, Persian) also has been suggested.

coin worth one-hundredth part of a ruble, from Russian kopeika, from kop'e "lance" (cognate with Greek kopis "chopper, cleaver;" see hatchet (n.)); so called because the coin showed the czar with lance in hand.