baker's dozen
Definition
Noun: - A group of thirteen items: The term "baker's dozen" specifically means thirteen of something, not the standard twelve. It originates from a historical practice where bakers would add an extra loaf to a dozen to avoid penalties for selling short weight.
Usage
- The term is used as a countable noun phrase to indicate a quantity of thirteen.
- It is often used when referring to items sold or grouped together, emphasizing the bonus item.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used figuratively to imply a little extra beyond what is strictly required or expected.
- He did a baker's dozen of tasks, completing the ten assigned plus three more voluntarily.
Variants and Related Words
- Dozen (noun): A group of twelve.
- Thirteen (noun): The cardinal number 13.
Synonyms
- Thirteen: The cardinal number.
- Long dozen: An archaic synonym for a baker's dozen.
Notes
- The phrase is a fixed idiom. Its meaning is always thirteen and is not typically broken down into the meanings of its individual words ("baker's" and "dozen") in modern usage.
- It is considered a more colorful or traditional way of saying "thirteen," often used in commercial or historical contexts.
Noun
-
the cardinal number that is the sum of twelve and one
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