tenpenny nail

noun

: a nail three inches (7.6 centimeters) long

Word History

Etymology

from its original price per hundred

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tenpenny nail was in the 15th century

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tenpenny

tenpenny nail

ten-percenter

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Style

“Tenpenny nail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tenpenny%20nail. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

tenpenny nail

noun

ten·pen·ny nail

ten-ˌpen-ē-

: a nail three inches (about 7.6 centimeters) long

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tenpenny nail

noun

Word History

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