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.

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fourpenny British  

/ ˈfɔːpənɪ /

adjective

1. slang a blow, esp with the fist

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Etymology

Origin of fourpenny

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

Example Sentences

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

There he is, with his shaven face and his hair powdered, as if he were going to a fourpenny fandango at Bagnigge Wells.

From The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 1 Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave among the moors... by Sala, George Augustus

In some confusion the Sailor produced a handful of silver coins from his amazing trousers, out of which he solemnly chose a Spanish fourpenny.

From The Sailor by Snaith, J. C.

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

The one penny blue and fourpenny red of this issue are "errors," and are worth $250 each.

From Harper's Round Table, May 14, 1895 by Various