Pl. lepta, erron. leptas. [Gr. λεπτόν (sc. νόμισμα coin), neut. of λεπτός small.] a. An ancient Greek coin of the value of about one-fourth of a farthing; the ‘mite’ of the Eng. versions of the N.T. b. The smallest coin (‘centime’) of modern Greece, being the one-hundredth part of a drachma.
1727–41. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Coin, Lepton … 0s. 0d. 031/336 qrs. Sterl.
1858. Merc. Marine Mag., V. 86. Vessels of 20 tons, 50 leptas per ton.
1877. C. Geikie, Christ, lvii. (1879), 687. Among others, came a poor widow, with her two lepta.
