farthing

[ fahr-th ing ]

/ ˈfɑr ðɪŋ /

a former bronze coin of Great Britain, equal to one-fourth of a British penny: withdrawn in 1961.

something of very small value: I don't care a farthing for your opinion.

Origin of farthing

before 950; Middle English ferthing, Old English fēorthing. See fourth, -ing³

half-far·thing, noun

His impression is that I was really steering and trying to drop into the Farthing Down beeches.

Tono Bungay |H. G. Wells
“I am glad of that, for I have every wish to please you,” said the Farthing Doll.

Adventures in Toyland |Edith King Hall
Farthing Down stretches for nearly three miles north and south, and under its southern slope lies the little village of Chaldon.

Highways and Byways in Surrey |Eric Parker
The jury, without retiring from the box, returned a verdict of “Damages One Farthing!”

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, December 4, 1841 |Various

Farthing, penny, and sixpence, of the reign of George the Fourth.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 1, September 18, 1841 |Various

farthing

/ (ˈfɑːðɪŋ) /

a former British bronze coin, worth a quarter of an old penny, that ceased to be legal tender in 1961

something of negligible value; jot

Old English fēorthing from fēortha fourth + -ing 1