god's penny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Archaic / HistoricalFormal, Historical, Legal, Religious
Quick answer
What does “god's penny” mean?
A small sum of money, often a penny, given to seal a bargain or contract, signifying a binding promise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small sum of money, often a penny, given to seal a bargain or contract, signifying a binding promise.
A small sum paid as earnest money or as a charitable donation given in God's name, especially one given to the poor in memory of the dead. Historically, a symbolic coin given as a sign of agreement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is equally archaic in both varieties, but slightly better preserved in UK historical and legal texts. In the US, terms like 'earnest money' or 'binder' are far more common in modern legal contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries historical and religious weight, suggesting a promise made under divine witness.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage, found almost exclusively in historical novels, legal histories, or religious texts. Virtually never used in modern business or everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “god's penny” in a Sentence
to give (sb) a God's penny (for sth)to receive a God's penny (from sb)to seal (a bargain/contract) with a God's pennyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “god's penny” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The contract was god's-pennied by the giving of a shilling.
American English
- They god's-pennied the land deal with a silver coin.
adjective
British English
- The god's-penny agreement was considered unbreakable.
American English
- He made a god's-penny pledge to the order.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business. Historically, in sealing deals or apprenticeships.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or theological studies discussing medieval or early modern economic/social practices.
Everyday
Never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
A historical legal term found in old contracts and guild records.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “god's penny”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “god's penny”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “god's penny”
- Using it in modern contexts (e.g., 'I gave him a god's penny for the car'). Treating it as a slang term for a small charitable donation without the historical contractual sense.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic historical term. Modern equivalents are 'deposit', 'earnest money', or 'binder' in legal contexts.
No, the amount could vary, but it was always a small, symbolic sum. The name derives from the common use of a penny as that token.
They are closely related. A 'handsel' is a gift for good luck at the start of something (e.g., a new year). A 'God's penny' specifically formalises an agreement and carries a stronger binding, often religious, obligation.
Yes, in a secondary, related usage. Alms given to the poor for the sake of a deceased person's soul were sometimes called 'God's penny' or 'soul penny'.
A small sum of money, often a penny, given to seal a bargain or contract, signifying a binding promise.
God's penny is usually formal, historical, legal, religious in register.
God's penny: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡɒdz ˈpɛni/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡɑːdz ˈpɛni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “"To take a God's penny" meant to enter into a binding agreement.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a medieval merchant and a buyer shaking hands, but instead of a handshake, one gives a single penny and says, "God be my witness." That penny is God's penny.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A BOND / MONEY IS A SACRED PLEDGE.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary function of a 'God's penny'?