Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

threepenny bit

British  
/ -ənɪ, ˈθrɛp-, ˈθrʌpnɪ /

noun

  1. a twelve-sided British coin of nickel-brass, valued at three old pence, obsolete since 1971

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

See Examples For:

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 Mar. 18, 2014

I especially loved the threepenny bit for its dodecagonal - 12-sided - weirdness, its brass and nickel sallow yellow gleam and the crowned portcullis on its back.

From BBC Apr. 30, 2010

But catch him asking the loan of a threepenny bit of any man!

From The Continental Monthly , Vol. 2 No. 5, November 1862 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various

He had, carefully stowed away, thirty shillings in gold, and of his regular pocket-money a two-shilling piece, a shilling, a threepenny bit, and some coppers.

From Great Uncle Hoot-Toot by Molesworth, Mrs.

I dare say that not a single soul in the world got the comfort of as much as a recovered threepenny bit out of the estate.

From Chance A Tale in Two Parts by Conrad, Joseph

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training