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farthing

noun
far·​thing | \ ˈfär-t͟hiŋ \

Definition of farthing

1a : a former British monetary unit equal to ¹/₄ of a penny
b : a coin representing this unit
2 : something of small value : mite

Examples of farthing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Ron Schroer's Boneshaker Bigwheel superficially resembles the kind of old-timey bicycle called penny-farthing, but don't be fooled: the all-wood machine actually crawls on a set of legs on the back. — John Wenz, Popular Mechanics, "This Weird Wooden Bike Has Back Legs That Walk," 30 Mar. 2015 Women raced the ungainly high-wheel penny-farthings throughout the 1880s, but the advent of the safety bicycle, with its equal-sized wheels, chain drive, improved braking, and lower cost, made the sport more accessible. — Kate Siber, Outside Online, "This Seamstress Conquered Bike Racing in the 1890s," 31 May 2018 Also on display are several penny-farthing bikes, which were invented in 1869 and had tall front wheels. — Brian E. Clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Space and bikes? They go together at this Sparta museum," 2 Mar. 2018 But this was the age of the penny-farthing and the Flying Yankee Velocipede: no potential cycling innovation could go undiscovered. — Kat Eschner, Smithsonian, "People in the 1800s Dreamed of Bicycling on Water," 5 Oct. 2017 New claims will arise; women will demand the vote; lads from 12 to 21 will think their rights not enough attended to; and every man who has not a farthing, will demand an equal voice with any other, in all acts of state. — Lorraine Boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Artifacts Show the Sometimes-Violent Nature of American Democracy," 19 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'farthing.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of farthing

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for farthing

Middle English ferthing, from Old English fēorthung (akin to Middle High German vierdunc fourth part), from Old English fēortha fourth

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Time Traveler for farthing

The first known use of farthing was before the 12th century

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More Definitions for farthing

farthing

noun

English Language Learners Definition of farthing

: a former British coin that had a value equal to 1/4 of a penny

See the full definition for farthing in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on farthing

Britannica English: Translation of farthing for Arabic Speakers

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