Penny cress (Bot.), an annual herb of the Mustard family, having round,
flat pods like silver pennies (Thlaspi arvense). Dr. Prior. -- Penny
dog (Zoˆl.), a kind of shark found on the South coast of Britain: the
tope. -- Penny father, a penurious person; a niggard. [Obs.] Robinson
(More's Utopia). -- Penny grass (Bot.), pennyroyal. [R.] -- Penny post,
a post carrying a letter for a penny; also, a mail carrier. -- Penny
wise, wise or prudent only in small matters; saving small sums while
losing larger; -- used chiefly in the phrase, penny wise and pound
foolish.
Pen"ny (?), a. Worth or costing one penny.
Pen"ny-a-lin"er (?), n. One who furnishes matter to public journals at
so much a line; a poor writer for hire; a hack writer. Thackeray.
Pen`ny*roy"al (?), n. [A corruption of OE. puliall royal. OE. puliall
is ultimately derived fr. L. puleium, or pulegium regium (so called as
being good against fleas), fr. pulex a flea; and royal is a translation
of L. regium, in puleium regium.] (Bot.) An aromatic herb (Mentha
Pulegium) of Europe; also, a North American plant (Hedeoma pulegioides)
resembling it in flavor.
Bastard pennyroyal (Bot.) See Blue curls, under Blue.
Pen"ny*weight` (?), n. A troy weight containing twenty-four grains, or
the twentieth part of an ounce; as, a pennyweight of gold or of
arsenic. It was anciently the weight of a silver penny, whence the
name.
Pen"ny*wort` (?), n. (Bot.) A European trailing herb (Linaria
Cymbalaria) with roundish, reniform leaves. It is often cultivated in
hanging baskets.
March, or Water, pennywort. (Bot.) See under March.
Pen"ny*worth` (?), n. 1. A penny's worth; as much as may be bought for
a penny. "A dear pennyworth." Evelyn.
2. Hence: The full value of one's penny expended; due return for money
laid out; a good bargain; a bargain.
The priests sold the better pennyworths.
Locke.