farthing

Turns out that the word farthing, for the coin once worth a quarter-penny, derives ultimately from the Old English fēortha, meaning one-fourth. (According to MW11.)

One Response to “farthing”

  1. Affenschmidt

    Ah, Tolkien’s division of the Shire into four Farthings makes much more sense now.

    reply

Join the Conversation

Click here to cancel reply.