Definition

1. 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).

2. 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

1. being ten more than fifty

Noun

1. a set with 3 times 20 members