thirteen
[thur-teen]
- a cardinal number, 10 plus 3.
- a symbol for this number, as 13 or XIII.
- a set of this many persons or things.
- amounting to 13 in number.
Origin of thirteen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for thirteen
Contemporary Examples
She began her career as a model at the age of thirteen, modeling for Dolce & Gabbana and Dior.
At thirteen years old, de Forest speaks with the confidence and the knowledge of someone much older.
Last year, I went to India with my daughter who was thirteen at the time to meet some artisans.
For him to get killed in action thirteen years after the war began.
Thirteen years after 9/11, the World Trade Center is undergoing a massive transformation.
Historical Examples
They proved to be Cheyennes--two men, and a boy of thirteen.
The Exploring Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, Oregon and CaliforniaBrevet Col. J.C. Fremont
I have thirteen arrows yet, and if one of them fly unfleshed, then, by the twang of string!
The White CompanyArthur Conan Doyle
Out of every dozen packets, perhaps, I fixed one that had thirteen.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
Cost me thirteen dollars to repair one; vulcanize the tire, y'see.
The Bacillus of BeautyHarriet Stark
Ah, there was Diablo, the very number Allis had said carried no dread for her, thirteen.
ThoroughbredsW. A. Fraser
thirteen
- the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and three and is a prime numberSee also number (def. 1)
- a numeral, 13, XIII, etc, representing this number
- the amount or quantity that is three more than ten; baker's dozen
- something represented by, representing, or consisting of 13 units
- amounting to thirteenthirteen buses
- (as pronoun)thirteen of them fell
Word Origin
Old English threotēne; see three, -teen
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for thirteen
n.
early 15c., metathesis of Old English þreotene (Mercian), þreotiene (West Saxon), from þreo "three" (see three) + -tene (see -teen). Cf. Old Frisian thretten, Dutch dertien, German dreizehn.
Not an unlucky number in medieval England, but associated rather with the customary "extra item" (e.g. baker's dozen). Superstitions began with association with the Last Supper, and the unluckiness of 13 sitting down together to dine (attested from 1690s). Most of the modern superstitions (buildings with floor "12-A," etc.) have developed since 1890.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper