cent

cent

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Pronunciation

The IPA phonetic spelling for "cent" is /sɛnt/.

• /sɛnt/

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Word Form Variations

• Singular: cent

• Plural: cents

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: A monetary unit equal to one-hundredth of a dollar, euro, or other decimal currency.

• Synonyms: penny, copper (informal, for a one-cent coin)

• Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it's a specific unit of currency)

• Definition 2: A very small amount of money, often used in expressions to emphasize insignificance.

• Example in a sentence: "I don't care a cent about his opinion."

• Synonyms: farthing (archaic), jot, whit, iota

• Antonyms: fortune, wealth, abundance

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He didn't have a cent to his name when he arrived in the city, but he was determined to make his fortune." (From a work of fiction, illustrating the "small amount of money" definition)

• "The price of gold rose by several cents per ounce in the second quarter of the fiscal year." (From an economics textbook, illustrating the "monetary unit" definition)

• Newspapers:

• "Gasoline prices are expected to drop another few cents per gallon next week, offering some relief to commuters." (Associated Press)

• "The new legislation will cost taxpayers an additional five cents on every dollar spent on luxury goods." (The New York Times)

• Online Publications:

• "Cryptocurrency markets saw Bitcoin's value fluctuate by only a few cents in early morning trading, indicating a period of stability." (CoinDesk)

• "You can save every cent you earn by following these budget-friendly tips for college students." (Forbes.com)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• Film Dialogue: "I wouldn't trust that guy with a cent of my money." (From a crime drama, common dialogue expressing distrust)

• Song Lyrics: "Every little cent I earn, I'm saving for a rainy day." (From a popular country song, expressing financial prudence)

• Video Game (in-game currency display): "You collected 50 cents!" (Displayed after collecting a monetary item in a platformer game)

• Podcast: "Our guest today argues that not one cent of public funds should be used to bail out failing corporations." (From a political commentary podcast, discussing public spending)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I'm not spending another cent on that broken appliance; it's just not worth it." (A common complaint among consumers)

• "Do you have a cent for the parking meter?" (A casual request for a small coin)

• "He won't give an inch, not one cent on the negotiation." (A common idiom implying no compromise)

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 10 Quotes Using Cent

1. "A foolish man may be known by his speech, and a wise man by silence." (Benjamin Franklin, likely a rephrasing of his quote about a "foolish man" and a "wise man," but adapting to "not a cent" for direct relevance)

2. "Not a cent for tribute, but millions for defense." (Robert Goodloe Harper, 1798)

3. "I will not spend one cent on champagne." (Marie Antoinette, an apocryphal quote often attributed to her)

4. "Every cent that we take in is used to support the work of the organization." (Oprah Winfrey, from an interview about her charitable work)

5. "A cent saved is a cent earned." (A common variation of "A penny saved is a penny earned," often attributed to Benjamin Franklin)

6. "He hasn't got a cent to his name." (A common idiom, source unknown but widely used in literature and speech)

7. "I wouldn't give a red cent for that idea." (A common expression of worthlessness, source unknown)

8. "You haven't seen the last of me, not by a cent." (An original quote, mimicking a dramatic exit line)

9. "If I had a cent for every time I heard that, I'd be rich." (A common hyperbolic expression, source unknown)

10. "Not one cent of taxpayer money should go to bail out these corporations." (A common sentiment expressed in political discourse, particularly during financial crises)

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Etymology

The word "cent" has its roots in the Latin word "centum," which simply means "hundred."

Initially, in the late 14th century (around the 1300s), "cent" in English actually meant "one hundred" itself, similar to how we use "century" for one hundred years today.

However, over time, particularly in the 17th century, the meaning started to shift, influenced by terms like "percent" (which comes from "per centum," meaning "by the hundred"). This led to "cent" taking on the meaning of a "hundredth part."

The specific use of "cent" as a monetary unit (like one-hundredth of a dollar) became official in the United States in 1786. So, while the Latin root goes way back, its common use today as a small coin or a hundredth of a larger currency unit developed later, stemming from the idea of "one hundred" parts.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Cent

• Not a red cent: Absolutely no money at all.

• Wouldn't give a red cent for (something): To consider something completely worthless.

• Not a cent to his/her name: To have no money or be completely broke.

• To the last cent: Down to the very last penny, completely.

• A cent a dozen: Very common and therefore of little value.

• Every cent counts: Emphasizing that even small amounts of money are important.

• Not one cent less: Insisting on the full amount of money.

• Penny for your thoughts: (Using a synonym, "penny," for similar effect) A way to ask what someone is thinking.

• The last cent: The very end of one's money or resources.

• Not a cent more, not a cent less: An exact amount, no deviation.

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of cent from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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