Lexic.us

Definition of Penny

1. Noun. A fractional monetary unit of Ireland and the United Kingdom; equal to one hundredth of a pound.

2. Noun. A coin worth one-hundredth of the value of the basic unit.

Definition of Penny

1. a. Denoting pound weight for one thousand; -- used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.

2. n. An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).

3. a. Worth or costing one penny.

Definition of Penny

1. Proper noun. A diminutive of the female given name Penelope. ¹

2. Noun. (historical) In the United Kingdom and Ireland, a copper coin worth 1/240 of a pound sterling or Irish pound before decimalisation. Abbreviation: d. ¹

3. Noun. In the United Kingdom, a copper coin worth 1/100 of a pound sterling. ¹

4. Noun. (historical) In Ireland, a coin worth 1/100 of an Irish pound before the introduction of the euro. Abbreviation: p. ¹

5. Noun. In the US and Canada, a one-cent coin, worth 1/100 of a dollar. Abbreviation: ¢. ¹

6. Noun. In various countries, a small denomination copper or brass coin. ¹

7. Noun. A unit of nail size, said to be either the cost per 100 nails, or the number of nails per penny. Abbreviation: d. ¹

8. Verb. (slang) To jam a door shut by inserting pennies between the doorframe and the door. ¹

9. Verb. (context: electronics) To circumvent the tripping of an electrical circuit breaker by the dangerous practice of inserting a coin in place of a fuse in a fuse socket. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Penny

1. a coin of the United Kingdom [n PENNIES or PENCE]

Medical Definition of Penny

1. Pl. Pennies or Pence. Pennies denotes the number of coins; pence the amount of pennies in value. [OE. Peni, AS. Penig, pening, pending; akin to D. Penning, OHG. Pfenning, pfenting, G. Pfennig, Icel. Penningr; of uncertain origin. 1. An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius). "The chief Anglo-Saxon coin, and for a long period the only one, corresponded to the denarius of the Continent . . . [and was] called penny, denarius, or denier." . The ancient silver penny was worth about three pence sterling (see Pennyweight). The old Scotch penny was only one twelfth the value of the English coin. In the United States the word penny is popularly used for cent. 2. Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver. 3. Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny. "What penny hath Rome borne, What men provided, what munition sent?" (Shak) 4. See Denarius. Penny cress, pennyroyal. Penny post, a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a mail carrier. Penny wise, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving small sums while losing larger; used chiefly in the phrase, penny wise and pound foolish. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Penny

pennilessness pennill pennine penninerved penning pennipotent pennis pennon pennoncel pennoncelle

pennoncels pennoned pennons pennorth pennorths penny-a-liner penny-a-liners penny-ante penny-pinch penny-pincher

penny-pinching penny-pinchings penny-wise penny-wise and pound-foolish penny ante penny ante poker penny arcade

Literary usage of Penny

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Notes and Queries by Martim de Albuquerque (1861)
"In these days, when penny Savings' Banks, and other desirable means of ... A penny bestowed in charity upon a poor body, shall For a penny you may in the ..."

2. A survey of London by John Stow (1842)
"The antiquity of this starling penny usual in this realm is from the reign of ... William the Conqueror's penny also was fine silver of the weight of the ..."

3. Haydn's Dictionary of Dates and Universal Information Relating to All Ages by Joseph Haydn, Benjamin Vincent (1889)
"penny. The ancient silver penny was the first silver coin struck in England, ... The penny until the reign of Edward I. was struck with a cross, ..."

4. American Book Prices Current by Katherine Kyes Leab, Daniel J Leab (1906)
"Pennsylvania*—Continued. Oct. 14, 1749 to Jan. i, 1749-50 (title and pp. 107-119), penny- packer, H., Dec. 14, '05. (207) $40.00. Oct. 14, 1749 to Aug. ..."

5. Dictionary of National Biography by LESLIE. STEPHEN (1895)
"penny married, after 1753 and before 1708, Elizabeth, daughter of John Simmons ... EW penny of Dersingham, Norfolk, and Mr. T. and t lie Misses Lowndes of ..."

6. A History of the People of the United States: From the Revolution to the by John Bach McMaster (1910)
"The rise of the penny newspaper was of recent origin. Newspapers in the good old times were supplied to subscribers, were not sold for cash, were not hawked ..."

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