threepence

American  

[thrip-uhns, threp-, thruhp-, three-pens] / ˈθrɪp əns, ˈθrɛp-, ˈθrʌp-, ˈθriˌpɛns /

noun

1. (used with a singular or plural verb) a sum of three pennies.

2. a former cupronickel coin of the United Kingdom, a quarter of a shilling, equal to three pennies: use phased out after decimalization in 1971.

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Etymology

Origin of threepence

First recorded in 1580–90; three + pence

Example Sentences

I’ve long been fascinated by the Tom Phillips project A Humument, which began in 1966 when he bought an obscure Victorian novel for threepence in a junk shop and began painting on the pages.

From The Guardian • Aug. 14, 2019

More important, the Sugar Act of 1764 reduced the duty on foreign molasses to an affordable threepence a gallon and tightened collection procedures.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

By contrast, an unskilled tunneller's mate received two shillings and tuppence, while the infantryman in the trenches pocketed a meagre one shilling and threepence.

From BBC • Jul. 1, 2016

Zambian copper-belt workers, who once paid threepence for a home-brewed raspberry drink, now pay sixpence for "sophisticated" sodas.

From Time Magazine Archive

The master says we’re each to bring threepence for the First Communion catechism with the green cover.

From "Angela's Ashes: A Memoir" by Frank McCourt