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fourpenny

American  
[fawr-pen-ee, -puh-nee, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌpɛn i, -pə ni, ˈfoʊr- /

adjective

  1. Carpentry.

    1. noting a nail 1.5 inches (3.8 centimeters) long.

    2. noting certain fine nails 1.375 inches (3.5 centimeters) long. 4d

  2. British. of the amount or value of fourpence.


fourpenny British  
/ ˈfɔːpənɪ /

adjective

  1. slang a blow, esp with the fist

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of fourpenny

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English. See four, penny

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When he was a child-actor in London he used to steal waitresses' fourpenny tips to eke out his meagre lunches.

From Time Magazine Archive

It's all ready—see—this is one of my shillings, and a sixpence and three pennies of Tom's, and Racey's fourpenny and two of his halfpennies.

From The Boys and I by Molesworth, Mrs.

"I'd be happy to pay for a pint," said Mrs. Demijohn, fingering a fourpenny bit so that he might see it.

From Marion Fay by Trollope, Anthony

Where Lord Eldon stayed in 1766, and whence many another aristocratic traveller set forth, tramps and fourpenny “dossers” found refuge.

From The Bath Road History, Fashion, & Frivolity on an Old Highway by Harper, Charles G. (Charles George)

There are two valuable triangular "Capes," however, namely, the fourpenny red and the penny blue, both of 1861.

From Peeps at Postage Stamps by Johnson, Stanley Currie