farthing

Meaning

Noun

• Former British unit of currency worth one-quarter of an old penny; or a coin representing this.
• A very small quantity or value; the least possible amount.
• A division of land.

Origin

• From Middle English ferthing, from Old English fēorþing, fēorþung, from fēorþa, from Proto-Germanic *fedurþungaz, probably influenced by Old Norse fjórðungr. Equivalent to [[fourth#English + fourth]]; compare English riding#Etymology_2 ("third part").