God's penny
/ˌɡɒdz ˈpɛni/(also Godspenny, Godpenny)
noun
1A small sum paid as an initial instalment on striking a bargain, especially on concluding a purchase or the hiring of a servant. Compare arles-penny, earnest penny. Now English regional ( Yorkshire ) and historical.
2A penny or small sum given in charity. Now rare.
Origin
Middle English; earliest use found in Ayenbite of Inwyt. From the genitive of god + penny, so called on account of being originally devoted to some religious or charitable purpose.
- in accord with
- inaccuracy
- inaccurate
- inaccurately
- in a class of its (or one's) own
- in action
- inaction
- inactivate
- inactivation
- inactivator
- inactive
- inactively
- inactivity
- in actual fact
- in addition
- in a delicate condition
- inadequacy
- inadequate
- inadequately
- inadmissibility
- inadmissible
- inadmissibly
- in advance
- in advance of
- inadvertence