THREESCORE Meaning and
Definition
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Threescore is a numerical term used to represent the value of sixty or a group of sixty. It is commonly used in a historical and literary context, particularly in older English texts and biblical scriptures. The term itself is derived from Old English and is a combination of "thre" (indicating the number three) and "score" (which represents twenty units). By combining these, threescore indicates a numerical value of three times twenty or sixty.
Threescore is often used to describe quantities or ages in relation to a group, measure, or period of time. It can refer to a group of sixty individuals or things, such as "threescore years and ten" to describe a lifespan of seventy years. Additionally, threescore can be used to denote a specific quantity or numerical value, like "threescore pennies" or "threescore miles."
Although the term threescore is not as commonly used in contemporary language, it remains significant in historical and literary contexts, particularly when discussing or interpreting older texts. It serves as a valuable numerical reference that showcases the evolution of the English language and provides insight into numerical systems and measurements utilized in ancient times.
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Three times twenty; sixty: rule of three-see rule.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for THREESCORE
Etymology of THREESCORE
The word "threescore" is derived from Old English and Middle English. It comes from the combination of the Old English word "threo" or "thre" meaning "three" and "score" derived from the Old Norse "skor", which means "a notch or a tally".
In the past, people used a tally system to keep score or count. They would make notches or scores on a stick or piece of wood to represent numbers. A score was traditionally equal to 20 notches. Therefore, a "threescore" would literally mean three times 20 or 60.
Over time, the word "threescore" developed as a specific way to express the number 60. Despite its archaic usage today, it can still be encountered in contextually old or biblical language.
Similar spelling words for THREESCORE
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