1. (Abbr. f.) A coin formerly used in Great Britain worth one fourth of a penny.
2. Something of very little value.

[Middle English ferthing, from Old English fēorthung.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.