In 6–7 counto. [Pg. conto = It. conto, OF. cunte, F. compte:—L. computus: see COUNT sb.] In Portuguese, a million; hence, short for a million reis, worth in Portuguese currency about £220, in Brazilian a little more than half that amount.
1601. Hakluyt, trans. Galvano’s Discov. World (1862), 14. He neuer … left off to raise and to augment the yerely rent vnto a counto.
1858. Simmonds, Dict. Trade Prod. A Portuguese word for million; a conto of reis (1000 milreis) is usually expressed thus 1000$000.
1889. Times (weekly ed.), 13 Dec., 15/1. The sum of 5,000 contos (£550,000).
1890. Daily News, 25 Jan., 5/5. The money being subscribed in Brazil. The capital is stated to be 200,000 contos of reis, or over 20 millions sterling.
1891. Scot. Leader, 13 May, 6 (Lisbon). 1200 contos of reis of new silver money coined in virtue of last Friday’s decree.
