First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
penny
noun, pen·ny often attributive \ˈpe-nē\
: a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a dollar
: a coin or a unit of money equal to 1/100 of a British pound
: a British coin used before 1971 that was equal to 1/12 of a shilling
plural pennies \-nēz\ or pence \ˈpen(t)s\
Full Definition of PENNY
1
a : a monetary unit of the United Kingdom formerly equal to 1⁄240 pound but now equal to 1⁄100 pound b : a similar monetary unit of any of various other countries in or formerly in the Commonwealth of Nations — see pound at money table c : a coin representing one penny
2
: denarius
3
plural pennies : cent
4
: a former monetary unit equal to 1⁄100 Irish pound
5
: a trivial amount
6
: a piece or sum of money <that will cost a pretty penny>
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Origin of PENNY
Middle English, from Old English penning, penig; akin to Old High German pfenning, a coin
PENNY Defined for Kids
penny
noun pen·ny \ˈpe-nē\
plural pennies \ˈpe-nēz\
Definition of PENNY for Kids
1
: cent
2
or plural pence \ˈpens\ : a coin of the United Kingdom equal to 1⁄100 pound
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