halfpenny

/'heipni/

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Word: Halfpenny

Definition:
A halfpenny is a noun that refers to a small coin that is worth half of a penny. It is a British coin that was used in the past, though it is no longer in circulation today.

Usage Instructions:

• Basic Use: You can use "halfpenny" when talking about money in historical or British contexts.
• Plural Form: The plural of halfpenny is "halfpennies" or "halfpence."

Example Sentence:

• "In the old days, you could buy a loaf of bread for just a few halfpennies."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter "halfpenny" in literature or historical discussions about British currency.
• It's also used in phrases like "a halfpenny worth," meaning something of little value.

Word Variants:

• Halves: The term "half" can refer to parts of something, but in the context of "halfpenny," it specifically relates to the coin.
• Penny: This is the full value coin, and "halfpenny" literally means half of that.

Different Meanings:

• Besides being a coin, "halfpenny" can sometimes be used metaphorically to indicate something of little importance or worth.

Synonyms:

• There are no direct synonyms for "halfpenny," but you could refer to it as a "small coin" or "low-value coin."

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "halfpenny," but you might hear phrases like "not worth a halfpenny," meaning something is not valuable at all.

Cultural Note:

• The halfpenny coin was often used in everyday transactions in Britain before it was discontinued in 1984. It was part of the British currency system and is a piece of history for those interested in money and economics.

Academic

Noun

1. an English coin worth half a penny

Synonyms

• ha'penny