penny-a-line adjective & verb. [pɛnɪǝ'lʌɪn] M19.
[from (a) penny a line.]
A. adjective. Of writing or a writer: paid at the rate of a penny a line (now Hist.). Also, (of writing) superficial, of little literary value. M19.
b. verb trans. & intrans. Write (material) for a penny a line or in the style of a penny-a-liner. Chiefly as penny-a-lining verbal noun & ppl adjective. M19.

■ penny-a-liner noun a person, esp. a journalist, who practises penny-a-line writing M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲