† ˈearnest-ˌpenny Obs.
[f. earnest n.2 + penny.]
A small sum of money (prob. orig. a literal penny) paid as earnest to secure a bargain; cf. bargain-penny, fastening-penny.
| 1508 Nottingham Borough Rec. MS. 1383. 10 Recepit..unum denarium argenti ut pro an ernest peny. 1552 Huloet, Bynde wyth an earnest penye, obæro. 1562 Eden Let. in 1st Eng. Bks. Amer. (Arb.) Pref. 43/2, Xxli thereof to be lotted to me for an earnest penye to begynne the booke. 1629 W. Cowper Heaven Open. 119 It is customable to men to giue an earnest penny in buying and selling. 1760 Mair Tyro's Dict. (1820) 10 Arrha, an earnest-penny. |
b. fig. (In 16th and 17th c. freq. in religious use.)
| 1533 Tindale Supper of Lord 19 That assured saving health and earnest-penny of everlasting life. 1571 R. Edwards Damon & P. in Hazl. Dodsley IV. 59 Then for an earnest-penny take this blow. 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 927/2 Y⊇ spirite of God..is the earnest peny of our adoption. 1662 J. Chandler Van Helmont's Oriat. 281, I offered them an earnest-penny, to take me along with them as a companion and witnesse. 1676 Wycherley Pl. Dealer iv. ii, Presents from me ..the earnest-pence for our love-bargain. |