Halfpenny

Pronunciation direct, non-slang pronunciation without reduction

• IPA: /ˈheɪpÉ™ni/ or IPA: /ˈheɪpni/

Alternative forms

• α forms (with the first element, half, preserved) halfepenny, halfepeny, halfepenie, halfepenye; halfpenny, halfpeny, halfpenie, halfpenye all obsolete except halfpenny
• β forms (with the first element reduced to hal-, ha’, or ha-) halpeny, halpenye, hapeney, ha'penny, hapenny, happenny all obsolete except ha’penny
• γ forms (with the first element corrupted to haw-) hawpny dialectal, obsolete

Origin

From the Middle English halpenī, either from the late-Old English hal-penige or from half + peni; equivalent to half + penny and continually reinforced by that surface analysis.

Full definition of halfpenny

Noun

1. (plural: halfpennies) A discontinued British coin worth half of one penny (old or new).
• Christmas is coming (traditional carol)If you haven't got a penny,
  A ha'penny will do,
  If you haven't got a ha'penny,
  Then God bless you.
2. (plural: halfpence) A quantity of money worth half a penny.
• 1599, William Shakespeare, As You Like It (act III, scene 2)There were none principal; they were all like one another as halfpence are; every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it.
• 1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair"If a pound of mutton-candles cost sevenpence-halfpenny, how much must Dobbin cost?"

Derived terms

Adjective

1. Costing or worth one halfpenny.
• 1594, William Shakespeare, King Henry VI, Part 2 (act IV, scene 2)There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer.