Definition

1. Noun:
   • A nail 2 inches long: A "sixpenny nail" is a specific type of nail, historically categorized by its size and cost. The term refers to a nail that is approximately two inches (about 5 cm) in length. The "penny" system (abbreviated as "d") is a traditional measurement for nail length.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We need some sixpenny nails to secure these boards.
  • The old carpenter reached for a handful of sixpenny nails from his apron pocket.
  • A sixpenny nail is ideal for this kind of light framing work.

Advanced Usage

• The term is part of an archaic sizing system where "penny" originally related to the price per hundred nails. Other sizes include a fourpenny nail (1.5 inches), an eightpenny nail (2.5 inches), and a sixteenpenny nail (3.5 inches).
  • The plans called for eightpenny nails, but he only had sixpenny ones on hand.

Variants and Related Words

• Penny nail (n): The general term for a nail sized using the historical "penny" system.
• Common nail (n): A type of nail with a thick shank and a flat head, often measured in penny sizes.
• Box nail (n): A similar but thinner nail, also sometimes referenced in penny sizes.

Synonyms

• Two-inch nail: A direct description of its length.
• 2d nail: The abbreviated technical term using the penny symbol.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and essentially only meaning of "sixpenny nail" is the specific two-inch nail. It does not have other distinct definitions. The term is technical and historical, primarily used in carpentry, construction, and historical contexts.

Noun

1. a nail 2 inches long