Definition of "halfpenny"

halfpenny

/ˈheɪp(ə)ni/

noun
plural halfpennies or halfpence
1. (historical) A discontinued British coin worth half of one penny (old or new).
  Quotations
  If you haven't got a penny, / A ha'penny will do, / If you haven't got a ha'penny, / Then God bless you.
  Christmas is coming (traditional carol)
2. (plural: halfpence) A quantity of money worth half a penny.
  Quotations
  There were none principal; they were all like one another as halfpence are; every one fault seeming monstrous till his fellow fault came to match it.
  c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii]
  "If a pound of mutton-candles cost sevenpence-halfpenny, how much must Dobbin cost?"
  1848, William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair
adjective
not comparable
1. Costing or worth one halfpenny.
  Quotations
  There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny; the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops; and I will make it felony to drink small beer.
  1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene ii]