| farthing | 1. The fourth of a penny; a small copper coin of Great Britain, being a cent in United States currency. 2. A very small quantity or value. "In her cup was no farthing seen of grease." (Chaucer) 3. A division of hand. "Thirty acres make a farthing land; nine farthings a Cornish acre; and four Cornish acres a knight's fee." (R. Carew) Origin: OE. Furthing, AS. Feorung, fr. Feora fourth, feor, feower, four. See Four. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| farthingale | A hoop skirt or hoop petticoat, or other light, elastic material, used to extend the petticoat. "We'll revel it as bravely as the best, . . . With ruffs and cuffs, and farthingales and things." (Shak) Origin: OE. Vardingale, fardingale, fr. OF. Vertugale, verdugade, F. Vertugade, vertugadin, from Sp. Verdugado, being named from its hoops, fr. Verdugo a young shoot of tree, fr. Verde green, fr. L. Viridis. See Verdant. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |