Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Pen’sion

 Pennyworth or Pen’oth.Pen’sioners 
CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
 
Pen’sion
 
is something weighed out. Originally money was weighed, hence our pound. When the Gauls were bribed to leave Rome the ransom money was weighed in scales, and then Brennus threw his sword into the weight-pan. (Latin, pendo, to weigh money.)   1
 


 Pennyworth or Pen’oth.Pen’sioners 

 
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