threepenny
Americanadjective
-
of the amount or value of threepence.
-
of little worth.
Etymology
Origin of threepenny
late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; three, penny
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The current proposed design is a 12-sided coin similar in shape to the pre-decimalisation threepence piece, more commonly known as the "threepenny bit".
From BBC
With a hammer and two threepenny nails in hand, Stella Armijo emerged from her low adobe farmhouse one morning while Herbie reclined on his front stoop trying to read a book.
From Literature
A Treasury spokesman said the time was right to "retire" the existing £1 coin and using the threepenny bit as inspiration for its replacement was a "fitting tribute" to such an iconic design.
From BBC
The 1-pound coin is to be replaced by a new model based on the old threepenny bit, Finance Minister George Osborne will announce in Wednesday's Budget.
From Reuters
The paper's lead story says the £1 coin is to be scrapped in favour of a new design "shaped like an old threepenny bit".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
