half-crown
English
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Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From its value of half of the crown (five-shilling) coin.
Noun
[edit]half-crown (plural half-crowns)
- (historical) A pre-decimal coin used in Britain, Ireland and New Zealand, equivalent to 30 pence or two shillings and six pence.
- Synonyms: half-a-tusheroon, half-a-tosheroon; tosheroon, tusheroon, tossaroon; tosh, tush; half-a-bull; half-a-dollar; hog; alderman; madza caroon
- 1814 May 9, [Jane Austen], chapter XII, in Mansfield Park: […], volume I, London: […] [George Sidney] for T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 249:
- […] though we play but half-crowns, you know you may bet half guineas with him.
- 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XXIV, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 10:
- Keeping, therefore, an eye to the main chance, stimulated by the best possible motive, Helen emptied her purse on the bed, in such a manner, as to allow a stray half sovereign to escape, when she added the shillings and half-crowns to the little heap, and said, in a tremulous voice, "Here is my money."
- 1962 October, “New Reading on Railways: Great Western. By Cecil J. Allen, Ian Allan. 2s 6d.”, in Modern Railways, unnumbered page:
- This is a masterly work of condensation, omitting nothing of importance and providing a most readable book that for a modest half-crown is incredibly good value.
Translations
[edit]coin
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