Pittance

Was anciently a little repast, or refection of fish or flesh, more than the common allowance; and the pittancer was the officer who distributed this at certain appointed festivals. Jacob. FIX; PYX. An old term for the standard or test of the coin of the realm of England. Pis jury, is a jury consisting of the members of the corporation of the goldsmiths of the city of London, assembled upon an inquisition of very ancient date, called the trial of the pix. The object of this inquisition is to ascertain whether the coin of the realm, manufactured at her majesty's mint, is of the proper or legal standard. This investigation as to the standard of the coin is called pixing it, and hence the jury appointed for the purpose is called a pix jury. The investigation takes place usually once a year; and the lord high chancellor presides, and points out to the jury the nature of their duties. Brown.