ninepence

[ nahyn-pens, -puhns ]

/ ˈnaɪnˌpɛns, -pəns /

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noun

(used with a plural verb)British. nine pennies.

a former shilling of Great Britain, issued under Elizabeth I for use in Ireland, debased so that it was used in England as a ninepenny piece.

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What does "dignity" mean?

Origin of ninepence

First recorded in 1540–50; nine + pence

One-and-ninepence, sir, or your things will be taken away from you!
Lavengro|George Borrow
One-and-Ninepence, sir, or the things which you have brought with you will be taken away from you!
Lavengro|George Borrow
Better than ninepence, and finding your own cotton and sewing-silk.
Littlebourne Lock|F. Bayford Harrison
I get ninepence; some of the women only get sevenpence halfpenny.
Littlebourne Lock|F. Bayford Harrison

Many a girl works there and has no more than one and ninepence to take home at the end of the week.'
Hyacinth|George A. Birmingham