threescore
Americanadjective
determiner
Etymology
Origin of threescore
First recorded in 1350–1400, threescore is from Middle English thre scoor. See three, score
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“She wanted to impress upon the superintendent the serious ramifications of Brown. I had never in my lifetime seen a judge read Brown in court, and I am more than threescore and 10.”
From New York Times ● Sep. 6, 2017
In the words of the Psalms, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow.”
From The Guardian ● Aug. 13, 2017
Dante is 35 years old in the Divine Comedy, and when he is going on about being “midway in the journey of our life,” he is measuring against the good old threescore and 10.
From Slate ● Apr. 4, 2013
A month later, you are well enough to ride with your brother and sister on the roof of the overloaded bus that bears your family and threescore cramped others to the city.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 17, 2012
HUMPTY-DUMPTY sat on a wall, Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall; Threescore men, and threescore more, Cannot place Humpty-Dumpty as he was before.
From The Big Book of Nursery Rhymes by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
