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

Among the cheery, bleary gatherings, he finds some of the best customers for his parish paper at threepence a throw.

From Time Magazine Archive

Lieutenant Stranger was so happy over something he gave Dove threepence.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes