penny
n pl , pennies, pence
1 (Also called (formerly))
new penny (in Britain) a bronze coin having a value equal to one hundredth of a pound, (Symbol)
p
2 (in Britain before 1971) a bronze or copper coin having a value equal to one twelfth of a shilling or one two-hundred-and-fortieth of a pound, (Abbrev.)
d
3 a monetary unit of the Republic of Ireland worth one hundredth of a pound
4 pl , pennies (in the U.S. and Canada) a cent
5 a coin of similar value, as used in several other countries
6 used with a negative
Informal (chiefly Brit) the least amount of money
I don't have a penny
7 ♦
a bad penny
Informal (chiefly Brit) an objectionable person or thing (esp. in the phrase turn up like a bad penny)
8 ♦
a pretty penny
Informal a considerable sum of money
9 ♦
spend a penny (Brit)
informal to urinate
10 ♦
the penny dropped
Informal (chiefly Brit) the explanation of something was finally realized
11 ♦
two a penny plentiful but of little value (Old English penig, pening; related to Old Saxon penni(n)g, Old High German pfeni(n)c, German Pfennig)
ha'penny
n pl , -nies (Brit) a variant spelling of →
halfpenny
new penny
n another name for →
penny →
1
penny-a-liner
n
Now rare a hack writer or journalist
penny arcade
n (Chiefly U.S) a public place with various coin-operated machines for entertainment; amusement arcade
Penny Black
n the first adhesive postage stamp, issued in Britain in 1840; an imperforate stamp bearing the profile of Queen Victoria on a dark background
penny-dreadful
n pl , -fuls (Brit)
informal a cheap, often lurid or sensational book or magazine
penny-farthing
n (Brit) an early type of bicycle with a large front wheel and a small rear wheel, the pedals being attached to the front wheel, (U.S. name)
ordinary
(C20: so called because of the similarity between the relative sizes of the wheels and the relative sizes of the (old) penny and farthing coins)
penny-pinching
adj
Informal excessively careful with money
♦
penny-pincher n
penny shares
pl n (Stock Exchange) securities with a low market price, esp. less than 20p, enabling small investors to purchase a large number for a relatively small outlay
penny whistle
n a type of flageolet with six finger holes, esp. a cheap one made of metal, (Also called)
tin whistle
penny-wise
adj
1 greatly concerned with saving small sums of money
2 ♦
penny-wise and pound-foolish careful about trifles but wasteful in large ventures