ˈmass-penny arch.
[mass n.1]
An offering of money made at mass.
| 1362 Langl. P. Pl. A. iii. 217 Prestes..Askeþ Meede and Masse-pons and heore Mete eke. c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. T. 41 A goddes halfpeny or a masse peny. 1470–85 Malory Arthur xviii. xx. 761 Praye for my soule & bery me atte leest & offre ye my masse peny. 1528 Tindale Obed. Chr. Man Pref. xv, He..fetteth here a masse peny, there a trentall, yonder dirige money. 1849 Rock Ch. of Fathers II. vii. 504. 1877 C. M. Yonge Cameos III. xvii. 156 He had been at the chapel..and offered his mass-penny. |
| attrib. 1579 E. K. Gloss. Spenser's Sheph. Cal. June 25 Theyr packed pelfe and Masse-penie religion. |