THREEPENNY Meaning and
Definition
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Threepenny is an adjective that originated in Britain and refers to something that is worth or costs three pennies, which are units of currency. The term is commonly associated with the now-obsolete British threepenny coin, also known as a thruppence, which was in circulation until 1971.
The word "threepenny" can be used to describe various objects or concepts, indicating their value or relatedness to this specific monetary denomination. For instance, one may encounter the term in phrases like "threepenny bit" (a nickname for the threepenny coin) or "threepenny opera" (referring to a famous musical work by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, first performed in 1928).
Threepenny can also be figuratively employed to describe something inexpensive or of low value, serving as a means to emphasize its affordability or lack of sophistication. This usage may be encountered when referring to cheap merchandise, budget-friendly items or services, or even the price tag of a particular product.
Overall, the term "threepenny" conveys a connection to the now-defunct threepenny coin of Britain or to a modest value of three pennies. Its usage can vary depending on the context, but it generally pertains to objects, concepts, or ideas associated with a low denomination of currency or something affordable.
Common Misspellings for THREEPENNY
- rhreepenny
- fhreepenny
- ghreepenny
- yhreepenny
- 6hreepenny
- 5hreepenny
- tgreepenny
- tbreepenny
- tnreepenny
- tjreepenny
- tureepenny
- tyreepenny
- theeepenny
- thdeepenny
- thfeepenny
- thteepenny
- th5eepenny
- th4eepenny
- thrwepenny
Etymology of THREEPENNY
The word "threepenny" is a combination of two separate words: "three" and "penny".
"Three" comes from the Old English word "þrīe", which ultimately derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*þrijiz". This word has ancient roots and has cognates in various Germanic languages such as Old Norse "þrír" and Old High German "drei".
"Penny" comes from the Old English word "penig", which originally referred to a small coin. This word has been influenced by various Germanic languages such as Old Norse "penningr" and Old High German "pfenning".
The combination of "three" and "penny" in English dates back to at least the 16th century, and it is used to describe a coin or a value of three pennies.
Similar spelling words for THREEPENNY
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