dozen etymology

Etymology

The word "dozen" comes from the Old French word "douzaine," which in turn comes from the Latin word "duodecim," meaning "twelve."

Meaning and Origin

A dozen is a set or group of twelve things. It is commonly used as a unit of measurement for eggs, flowers, and pastries.

The concept of a dozen is believed to have originated from the ancient Babylonians, who used a base-12 number system. The Babylonians divided the day into 12 hours and the year into 12 months, and they also used a unit called the "gross," which was equal to 12 dozen.

The Greeks and Romans adopted the Babylonian number system and the concept of a dozen. The Greeks called a dozen a "dodekatas," and the Romans called it a "duodecim."

In the Middle Ages, the dozen was widely used as a unit of measurement throughout Europe. It was often used to count eggs, which were sold in baskets of 12. The dozen was also used to count other small items, such as flowers and pastries.

Today, the dozen is still a common unit of measurement in many countries around the world. It is used in both everyday conversation and in formal contexts, such as in recipes and contracts.

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