pfennig

[ fen-ig; German pfen-ikh ]

noun

, plural pfen·nigs, pfen·ni·ge [pfen, -i-g, uh].

1. a copper-coated iron coin and monetary unit of Germany until the euro was adopted, one 100th of a Deutsche mark.
2. (formerly) a minor coin and monetary unit of East Germany, one 100th of an ostmark.

pfennig

/ ˈpfɛnɪç; ˈfɛnɪɡ /

noun

1. a former German monetary unit worth one hundredth of a Deutschmark
2. (formerly) a monetary unit worth one hundredth of an East German ostmark

Word History and Origins

Origin of pfennig¹

First recorded in 1540–50; from German: penny

Word History and Origins

Origin of pfennig¹

German: penny

Example Sentences

Pfennig, pfen′ig, n. a German copper coin, the hundredth part of a mark.

From Project Gutenberg

These fellows beg usually within very small districts, and know every house that is "good" for a meal or a pfennig.

From Project Gutenberg

And patting the child on the head, Dr. Sanders gave her a ten-pfennig piece, and asked her who had taught her the poem.

From Project Gutenberg

They belong to the state, Otto, and if they should be shared with every one in Germany not one man would be a pfennig the better.

From Project Gutenberg

Briquettes are largely used in cities, small slabs of condensed coal that cost one pfennig each.

From Project Gutenberg