English Explanatory Dictionary

widow's mite

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A very small gift or donation which, however, represents a great sacrifice on the part of the giver.
  2. The lepton coin.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɪdəʊz ˈmaɪt/ /ˈwɪdoʊz ˈmaɪt/ en-au-widow's mite.ogg

Word forms

widow's mite widow's mites

Etymology

From the Bible account of the poor widow’s donation of two mites (or leptons, small coins of low value) to the temple contribution box, which Jesus Christ praised as more than the gifts presented by wealthy people, for “[a]ll these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on”: Luke 21:1–4 (New International Version); see also Mark 12:38–44.

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