God's penny

God's penny
God God (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got, G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup, prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p. p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf. {Goodbye}, {Gospel}, {Gossip}.] 1. A being conceived of as possessing supernatural power, and to be propitiated by sacrifice, worship, etc.; a divinity; a deity; an object of worship; an idol. [1913 Webster]

He maketh a god, and worshipeth it. --Is. xliv. 15. [1913 Webster]

The race of Israel . . . bowing lowly down To bestial gods. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

2. The Supreme Being; the eternal and infinite Spirit, the Creator, and the Sovereign of the universe; Jehovah. [1913 Webster]

God is a Spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. --John iv. 24. [1913 Webster]

3. A person or thing deified and honored as the chief good; an object of supreme regard. [1913 Webster]

Whose god is their belly. --Phil. iii. 19. [1913 Webster]

4. Figuratively applied to one who wields great or despotic power. [R.] --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{Act of God}. (Law) See under {Act}.

{Gallery gods}, the occupants of the highest and cheapest gallery of a theater. [Colloq.]

{God's acre}, {God's field}, a burial place; a churchyard. See under {Acre}.

{God's house}. (a) An almshouse. [Obs.] (b) A church.

{God's penny}, earnest penny. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.

{God's Sunday}, Easter. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • God's penny —    , luck money, earnest money    Three separate but linked customary practices are concerned with the exchange of money between individuals. At least from the medieval period onwards, the handing over of God s penny (which could be any amount… …   A Dictionary of English folklore

  • god's penny — noun Usage: often capitalized G Etymology: Middle English godes peny : a penny or small sum paid as earnest money especially on concluding a purchase or hiring a servant among merchants the god s penny binds the contract of sale Frederick Pollock …   Useful english dictionary

  • God's penny — Old Eng. Law. See earnest money. [1300 50; ME] * * * …   Universalium

  • God's penny — In old English law, earnest money; money given as evidence of the completion of a bargain. This name is probably derived from the fact that such money was given to the church or distributed in alms …   Black's law dictionary

  • God's penny — In old English law, earnest money; money given as evidence of the completion of a bargain. This name is probably derived from the fact that such money was given to the church or distributed in alms …   Black's law dictionary

  • God's penny — Earnest money paid to bind a bargain …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • God's-penny — …   Useful english dictionary

  • God — (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got, G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup, prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p. p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf. {Goodbye},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • God's acre — God God (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got, G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup, prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p. p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • God's field — God God (g[o^]d), n. [AS. god; akin to OS. & D. god, OHG. got, G. gott, Icel. gu[eth], go[eth], Sw. & Dan. gud, Goth. gup, prob. orig. a p. p. from a root appearing in Skr. h[=u], p. p. h[=u]ta, to call upon, invoke, implore. [root]30. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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