twenty-seven
Meaning
The number equivalent to the product of seven and three; one more than twenty-six; 27
A size, age, or other designation corresponding to the number twenty-seven
Structure
Usage
She celebrated her twenty-seventh birthday with a quiet dinner.
The answer to the question is found on page twenty-seven.
He scored twenty-seven points in the championship game.
Etymology
The compound number 'twenty-seven' follows the Germanic and English pattern of naming tens before units. 'Twenty' itself is a historical compound, originating from Old English twēntig, meaning 'two tens' or a 'score'. 'Seven' is an ancient numeral with a stable lineage from Proto-Indo-European. The combination 'twenty-seven' is a transparent, additive construction where the value of the tens (20) is simply combined with the value of the units (7) to denote the cardinal number 27. This logical, place-value-based naming system for numbers above twenty is a characteristic feature of English and related Germanic languages.
Analysis
- twenty: From Old English twēntig, meaning 'group of twenty'. Origin: Old English, from a Germanic base meaning 'two' + a suffix meaning 'group of ten'. - seven: From Old English seofon, meaning the number after six. Origin: Old English, from a Proto-Germanic root, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European septḿ̥.