Where does “eightpence” come from?
Eightpence derives from English eight and pence, with eight tracing to Old English ǣht, which developed from Proto-Indo-European h₂eyḱ- and oḱtṓw.
eightpence (English): A former coin worth eight pence; the monetary...
Definitions
- A former coin worth eight pence; the monetary...
Ancestry of “eightpence”, step by step
eightpence traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English eight
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | eight | A numerical value equal to 8; the number... |
| 2 | Middle English | eighte | eight |
| 3 | Old English | eahta | eight |
| 4 | Proto-West Germanic | ahtō | eight |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | ahtōu | eight |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | oḱtṓw | eight |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | aḱ- | sharp, pointed; sharp, pointed, edgy; sharp,... |
via English Pence
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | Pence | (the subunit of the pound sterling or Irish pound) |
| 2 | Middle English | peny | A penny or other silver coin including ancient coins |
| 3 | Old English | penning | penny |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | panningaz | a coin, penny |