NINEPENNY Meaning and
Definition
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Ninepenny is an adjective that describes something as being worth or costing nine pence. The term is primarily used in British English and originates from the pre-decimalization era when the British currency consisted of pounds, shillings, and pence.
Derived from the combination of "nine" and "penny," which refer to the numerical value and the British coin denomination, respectively, ninepenny denotes a particular monetary value. In terms of equivalency, ninepence represents a slightly higher value than half a shilling, as twenty pence made up one shilling.
Beyond its connection to the British coin, ninepenny can also be used metaphorically to describe something that is cheap, inferior, or of low value. This usage is often found in colloquial British English and may refer to a product, service, or even a person. For instance, one might use the term to describe a product that is poorly constructed or offers subpar quality. Similarly, in a metaphorical sense, a person's abilities or talents may be referred to as ninepenny, indicating a lack of skill or proficiency.
In summary, ninepenny refers to something that costs or is worth nine pence, specifically in the context of British currency. Additionally, it can be used metaphorically to describe something of low quality or value.
Common Misspellings for NINEPENNY
- binepenny
- minepenny
- jinepenny
- hinepenny
- nunepenny
- njnepenny
- nknepenny
- nonepenny
- n9nepenny
- n8nepenny
- nibepenny
- nimepenny
- nijepenny
- nihepenny
- ninwpenny
- ninspenny
- nindpenny
- ninrpenny
- nin4penny
Etymology of NINEPENNY
The word "ninepenny" originated in Middle English and is derived from the combination of two parts: "nine" and "penny".
The term "nine" comes from Old English "nigon" or "nigen", which means the number nine. This word has cognates in various Germanic languages, such as German "neun" and Dutch "negen".
"Penny" refers to the British coin worth one penny, which originated from the Old English word "penig". It is derived from the West Germanic word "panninga", which originally meant "coin" or "payment". This word is related to various other Germanic languages, including Old High German "pfenning" and Dutch "penning".
The combination of "nine" and "penny" in "ninepenny" refers to the value of nine pennies or a coin worth nine pennies.
Similar spelling words for NINEPENNY
