Penny

(Gr. denarion), a silver coin of the value of about 7 1/2d. or 8d. of our present money. It is thus rendered in the New Testament, and is more frequently mentioned than any other coin (Matt. 18:28; 20:2, 9, 13; Mark 6:37; 14:5, etc.). It was the daily pay of a Roman soldier in the time of Christ. In the reign of Edward III. an English penny was a labourer’s day’s wages. This was the “tribute money” with reference to which our Lord said, “Whose image and superscription is this?” When they answered, “Caesar’s,” he replied, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt. 22:19; Mark 12:15).

PEN'NY. This word, so translated in our English Version for the Greek denarius, is equivalent to about sixteen cents or eight pence, and was a regular day's wages. The "penny" shown to Christ bore the likeness and name of Caesar (Tiberius), who had then been emperor for seventeen or eighteen years. Matt 22:19, 2 Chr 11:21, Denarius ought to have been retained or Anglicized into denar, with a marginal note giving its precise value. See Money.

PEN'NY. This word, so translated in our English Version for the Greek denarius, is equivalent to about sixteen cents or eight pence, and was a regular day's wages. The "penny" shown to Christ bore the likeness and name of Caesar (Tiberius), who had then been emperor for seventeen or eighteen years. Matt 22:19, 2 Chr 11:21, Denarius ought to have been retained or Anglicized into denar, with a marginal note giving its precise value. See Money.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. An English coin, formerly of copper, now of bronze, the twelfth part of an English shilling in account value, and equal to four farthings, or about two cents; -- usually indicated by the abbreviation d. (the initial of denarius).

2. Any small sum or coin; a groat; a stiver. Shak.

3. Money, in general; as, to turn an honest penny. What penny hath Rome borne, What men provided, what munition sent Shak.

4. See Denarius. Penny cress (Bot.), an annual herb of the Mustard family, having round, flat pods like silver pennies (Thlaspi arvense). Dr. Prior. -- Penny dog (Zoöl.), a kind of shark found on the South coast of Britain: the tope. -- Penny father, a penurious person; a niggard. [Obs.] Robinson (More's Utopia). -- Penny grass (Bot.), pennyroyal. [R.] -- Penny post, a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a mail carrier. -- Penny wise, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving small sums while losing larger; -- used chiefly in the phrase, penny wise and pound foolish.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Denoting pound weight for one thousand; -- used in combination, with respect to nails; as, tenpenny nails, nails of which one thousand weight ten pounds.

Part of speech: adjective (a.)

Worth or costing one penny.