PIEDFORT \pee.AY.for\ n. a specially minted edition of a coin that is much thicker and heavier than normal. Also PIEFORT
Nowadays piedforts are usually made as commemorative editions aimed at collectors. The 1982 silver 20 pence coin in the picture is the first piedfort printed for public consumption in the UK. They must have made quite a few of them, because you can still snap one up on eBay for under 50 bucks.
Interestingly, the piefort spelling is based on a misspelling of the original word that occurred in a famous coin catalog. The catalog was so widely circulated over several decades that the misspelling became an accepted variant.
Coincidentally enough, both spellings of today’s word have more common anagrams that might make them easier to spot in a game…
- I hope you PROFITED from that PIEDFORT you bought way back in 1982.
- Why not melt down your PIEFORT in a FIREPOT and then make two of them?
Just thinking aloud there ;-)
Scrabble players should pay particular heed to the French pronunciation of this word, as I’ve heard more than one player pronounce it as if it was some kind of military fast-food joint. I’d hate to see you embarrass yourself in a television interview about how well educated Scrabble players are(n’t).
This word is in the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary 1977, you
wont find these words in subsequent editions.Often used attributively
ie as an adjective.Literally strong- footed one.A coin struck on an
unusually thick flan (planchet)
flan = the metal disk of a coin,token,or medal as distinguished from
the design and lettering stamped on it
In the latest Shorter Oxford it is listed as a proper noun.
With the pronunciation Derek gives, the OED gives three more.
You would look silly if you gave the alternate pronunciation
of trait (tray).Though it seems trendy these days to prounounce
a mullet haircut as mull-ay.