tenpenny

[ ten-pen-ee, -puh-nee ]

adjective

1. noting a nail 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in length. : 10d.
2. worth or costing 10 cents.

tenpenny

/ ˈtɛnpənɪ /

adjective

1. prenominal (of a nail) three inches in length

Word History and Origins

Origin of tenpenny¹

A late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; ten, penny

Example Sentences

Nails driven through the palms of her hands,—tenpenny nails,—under the hypnotic suggestion that she wasn't being hurt.

From Project Gutenberg

And with that he took out the two tenpenny nails with his fingers just as easy as if they had been put in by women.

From Project Gutenberg

They would not know how to exaggerate a broom-stick; for the life of them they could not exaggerate a tenpenny nail.

From Project Gutenberg

I don't call it just the thing to drive a tenpenny nail square through a lead pipe, pull it out, and say nothing about it.

From Project Gutenberg

She was in great want of the tenpenny piece, and she was going to sell herself to get it, when I gave it to her.

From Project Gutenberg