three-halfpence

noun

plural three-halfpence or three-halfpences

1

: the sum of three halfpence : a penny and a half

2

: a small English silver coin of Queen Elizabeth I (16th century) worth 1¹/₂ pennies

also : a silver coin struck in the 19th century under William IV and Queen Victoria for the colonies

Word History

Etymology

Middle English threhalpenys, from three, thre three + halpenys, halfpenys, plural of halpeny, halfpeny, halfpenny

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