bawbee
Americannoun
-
an old Scottish bullion coin, originally worth about three halfpence of English coin, later sixpence.
-
a halfpenny.
-
anything of little value.
noun
-
a former Scottish silver coin
-
an informal word for halfpenny
Etymology
Origin of bawbee
First recorded in 1535–45; named after Alexander Orok, 16th-century mintmaster, laird of Sille bawby
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.
It is all right to the last bawbee.
From Prisoners of Conscience by Barr, Amelia Edith Huddleston
"It was the toss of a bawbee whether or not I should apprehend him myself when I saw him, and if I had him here your Grace would be the first to admit my discretion."
From Doom Castle by Munro, Neil
That was Dandie’s way; a kiss and a comfit to Jenny—a bawbee and my blessing to Jill—and good-night to the whole clan of ye, my dears!
From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. XIX (of 25) The Ebb-Tide; Weir of Hermiston by Stevenson, Robert Louis
"I'll gie you a bawbee," said Duncan, "an' if that dinna satisfy ye, put on my beard again."
From Amusing Prose Chap Books by Various
It’s been that way frae the first: an aith an’ a bawbee was aye guid eneuch for puir Andra.
From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume XV by Stevenson, Robert Louis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
