This noun denotes silver as a physical substance rather than as currency (for which Greek more commonly uses argyrion). Jesus instructs the disciples to take no gold, silver, or copper in their belts (Matt 10:9), where silver sits in a triad of monetary metals. Paul argues that the divine nature is not like gold, silver, or stone shaped by human craft (Acts 17:29). In 1 Cor 3:12 silver appears among building materials tested by fire. James warns the rich that their silver has corroded (Jas 5:3), and Revelation lists silver among Babylon's luxury cargo (Rev 18:12). French 'argent' and Spanish 'plata' preserve the same metal-to-money semantic bridge found in the Greek.