threescore
/'θri:'skɔ:/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Being ten more than fifty: The word "threescore" is an archaic or literary term meaning exactly sixty (60). It is formed from "three" and "score" (where "score" historically means twenty).
Noun:
- A set with 3 times 20 members: Refers to a group or quantity of sixty items or people.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The ancient text mentions a period of threescore years. (The text refers to a sixty-year period.)
- He promised a sum of threescore pieces of silver. (He promised a sum of sixty pieces of silver.)
Noun:
- The king's army was led by a captain over a threescore of soldiers. (The captain led a unit of sixty soldiers.)
- A threescore of eggs was collected from the farm. (A collection of sixty eggs was gathered.)
Advanced Usage
- "Threescore and ten": A common biblical and literary phrase meaning seventy years (three score [60] plus ten). It often symbolizes a typical human lifespan.
- The psalmist speaks of a lifespan of threescore years and ten. (It refers to a lifespan of seventy years.)
Variants and Related Words
- Score (n): A group or set of twenty.
- Fourscore (adj/n): Meaning eighty (4 x 20).
- Threescore is part of this archaic numbering system based on twenties.
Synonyms
- Sixty: The modern numeral and most common synonym.
- Three score: A less common variant spelling.
- LX: The Roman numeral for sixty.
Notes on Usage
- Register: The word "threescore" is now primarily found in historical, biblical, literary, or poetic contexts. It is rarely used in everyday modern English, where "sixty" is standard.
- Grammar: It can function attributively (as an adjective before a noun: ) or nominally (as a noun: ).
Adjective
- being ten more than fifty
Noun
- a set with 3 times 20 members