farthing

[ fahr-thing ]

noun

1. a former bronze coin of Great Britain, equal to one-fourth of a British penny: withdrawn in 1961.
2. something of very small value:

   I don't care a farthing for your opinion.

farthing

/ ˈfɑːðɪŋ /

noun

1. a former British bronze coin, worth a quarter of an old penny, that ceased to be legal tender in 1961
2. something of negligible value; jot

Other Words From

• half-farthing noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of farthing¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English ferthing, Old English fēorthing; fourth, -ing ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of farthing¹

Old English fēorthing from fēortha fourth + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Visit Eastbourne describes it as "the only cycling event of its kind in the world specifically for penny farthings".

From BBC

The highlight of his haul in 2022 was a hoard of farthings from the reign of 15th Century Scottish King James III.

From BBC

About 100 people have pedalled for a bone-jarring three hours in a charity penny farthing race.

From BBC

Until 1885, the penny farthing bicycle amplified the rider’s pedal power by means of its oversize front wheel, and cyclists tumbled from a scary height when ambushed by a pothole.

From Washington Post

The men in particular were hams, sitting on the ground before their thrown-down penny farthings, as the high-wheel bikes of the day were known.

From New York Times

Related Words

• $.25
• 25 cents
• quarter
• twenty-five cents