online medical dictionary | definition of 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.

(01 Mar 1998)