HALF DOZEN Meaning and
Definition
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The term "half dozen" refers to a specific quantity that represents six units or objects. Derived from the word "dozen," which typically refers to a set of twelve, "half dozen" denotes exactly half of that quantity. It is a common and convenient way to express a specific amount when referring to a group of six items or a certain number of items.
Used in both casual and formal contexts, the term "half dozen" is frequently employed in various fields and sectors. For instance, in shopping, it is often utilized for pre-packaged goods such as eggs, donuts, or bagels, where a "half dozen" denotes a specific quantity that consists of six pieces. Furthermore, in the baking industry, recipes may specify the addition of a "half dozen" eggs or half a dozen of any other ingredient, indicating six units.
The phrase "half dozen" can also be metaphorically used to imply a small but reasonable quantity or number without specifying the exact count. For example, someone might casually say, "I ate half a dozen cookies" when they consumed around six cookies but did not keep track of the precise number.
In summary, the term "half dozen" is a concise way to denote a specific quantity of six objects or units. It is widely accepted and commonly used in various circumstances, from purchasing items to describing quantities in recipes or informal contexts.
Common Misspellings for HALF DOZEN
- galf dozen
- balf dozen
- nalf dozen
- jalf dozen
- ualf dozen
- yalf dozen
- hzlf dozen
- hslf dozen
- hwlf dozen
- hqlf dozen
- hakf dozen
- hapf dozen
- haof dozen
- hald dozen
- halc dozen
- halv dozen
- halg dozen
- halt dozen
- halr dozen
Etymology of HALF DOZEN
The word "half dozen" has a clear etymology. It is derived from Middle English, where "dozen" comes from Old French "dozeine" meaning "a group of twelve". "Dozeine" is further derived from "douze" meaning "twelve", which ultimately comes from Latin "duodecim" (duo means "two" and decem means "ten").
The addition of "half" to "dozen" simply indicates a quantity of six, half the number of a standard dozen.
Idioms with the word HALF DOZEN
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baker's half dozen
The idiom "baker's half dozen" refers to a quantity or group of seven items instead of the usual six. It originates from the practice of bakers traditionally giving customers an extra item, making it a total of thirteen. However, over time, the term has evolved to mean a group of seven, not necessarily including thirteen items.
Similar spelling words for HALF DOZEN
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