a silver coin, and money of account, of great britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the united states currency.-in the united states, a denomination of money, differing in value in different states. it is not now legally recognized.-the spanish real, of the value of one eight of a dollar, or 12/ cets; -- formerly so called in new york and some other states. see note under 2.