
好词典

源自古英语'pening',后演变为中古英语'penny',复数形式'pence'在13世纪出现,与德语'Pfennig'同源。
❶ 英国货币单位,1英镑等于100便士(penny的复数形式),主要用于表示硬币金额或非正式场合的货币计算。
“I found fifty pence on the street.”
(我在街上捡到了五十便士。)
“The candy costs twenty pence.”
(这颗糖果售价二十便士。)
penny and pence — 指代小额金钱,常用于强调积少成多的概念或微不足道的金额。
“He counted every penny and pence in his savings.”
(他计算了储蓄中的每一分钱。)
not have a penny to one's name — 形容身无分文的极端贫困状态,字面意思是'名下连一便士都没有'。
“After the bankruptcy, he didn't have a penny to his name.”
(破产后,他变得一文不名。)