halfpennyworth
English
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /hɛɪpnɪˈwəθ/
Noun
halfpennyworth (plural halfpennyworths) (abbreviation ha'p'orth)
- (Britain) As much as could be bought for a halfpenny (pre- or post-decimalisation).
- (Britain, informal) A negligible amount.
- he's never been a ha'p'orth of bother
Usage notes
- Also used in combination with larger amounts, as in "twopence halfpennyworth" (said "tuppence ha'penny's worth" and equal to as much as could be bought for two and a half pence).
References
- New Oxford American Dictionary