great hundred
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. The cardinal number that is the product of ten and twelve; one hundred and twenty (120). This is an archaic or historical term for the number 120, often used in contexts involving a "long hundred" as opposed to the modern standard hundred of 100.
Usage
The term "great hundred" is used to specify the quantity of one hundred and twenty. It is not commonly used in modern, everyday English but may appear in historical texts, discussions of old counting systems, or specific traditional contexts.
Examples
- In medieval England, a great hundred of items meant 120, not 100.
- Some historical records refer to a "long hundred" or great hundred when tallying goods.
- The shopper ordered a great hundred of nails, which amounted to 120 individual pieces.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Commerce: The term was significant in medieval European trade and measurement, where the "hundred" could mean either 100 (a short hundred) or 120 (a great or long hundred), depending on the region and the goods being counted.
Variants and Related Words
- Long hundred: A direct synonym for "great hundred," also meaning 120.
- Small hundred / Short hundred: Refers to the modern standard hundred of 100.
- Gross: As a noun, a gross is a specific count of 144 items (12 dozen). While different, it is related as another historical unit of quantity based on dozens.
Synonyms
- One hundred twenty
- Long hundred
- Six score (archaic: "score" means 20)
Notes
"Great hundred" is considered an archaic term. In all contemporary contexts, the number should be expressed as "one hundred and twenty" or "120." Its primary use today is in historical analysis or when referencing old documents.
Noun
- the cardinal number that is the product of ten and twelve