Definition

Noun: 1. The amount of something that can be bought for a penny: A quantity of goods or services obtainable for the historical British penny. This term is primarily used in historical or informal British contexts to denote a small amount or a bargain. 2. A small amount or quantity of something (figurative): Used informally to refer to a small portion, bit, or measure of something non-material, such as advice or common sense.

Usage and Examples

• Literal Purchase:

  • "In the old days, you could get a penn'orth of sweets from the corner shop."
  • "She asked for a penn'orth of nails at the ironmonger's."

• Figurative Use for a Small Amount:

  • "He hasn't got a penn'orth of sense, that one." (Meaning: He has very little common sense.)
  • "For a penn'orth of advice, I'd say you should reconsider."

Advanced Usage

• "To get one's penn'orth": To get one's money's worth or to fully express one's opinion, often in a forceful or lengthy manner.
  • "At the town meeting, old Mr. Higgins certainly got his penn'orth about the new traffic laws."

Variants and Related Words

• Pennyworth (noun): The standard, non-contracted spelling of "penn'orth". It carries the same meanings.
  • "It's not worth a pennyworth of trouble."

Synonyms

• Ha'p'orth (noun, informal, British): A contraction of "halfpennyworth"; an even smaller amount.
• Bit (noun): A small piece or amount.
• Mite (noun): A very small amount.

Notes on Usage

• Register: The term penn'orth is informal and now considered archaic or dialectal, chiefly used in British English. It evokes a historical period when a penny had significant purchasing power.
• Form: It is a contraction of "pennyworth". The apostrophe indicates the omission of letters ("-nywor-").
• Context: It is most commonly encountered in historical writing, classic literature, or in fixed figurative phrases (e.g., "not a penn'orth of difference").

Noun

1. the amount that can be bought for a penny