farthing
UK[ˈfɑːðɪŋ]US[ˈfɑːrðɪŋ]
n
a former british coin worth one quarter of an old penny.
Etymology
the word 'farthing' originates from old english 'fēorðing', which literally meant 'a fourth part'. this term was formed from 'fēorða', meaning 'fourth', combined with the suffix '-ing' denoting something belonging to or connected with. the name was applied to the coin because it was worth one quarter of a penny. this monetary unit, tracing its history back to anglo-saxon england, persisted in british currency for over a millennium until decimalization in 1971, its name preserving the ancient concept of division into four.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword from old english, derived from old english 'fēorðing', itself from 'fēorða' (fourth) + the diminutive suffix '-ing'. it is not productively segmented in modern english spelling.
Examples
in charles dickens' time, a loaf of bread might have cost a farthing.
the old saying "not worth a farthing" means something is completely worthless.
he searched through the antique collection and found a victorian-era farthing.