thirteen English · revision 15231

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=before 900}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌθɜːˈtiːn/, /ˈθɜː.tiːn/ ''(UK)''; /ˌθɝtˈtin/, /ˌθɝtin-/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|thrittene]], [[inh|ang|þrēotēne]] (Mercian, West Saxon [[m|ang|þrēotīene]]),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|ang|þrēo|t=three]] and [[m|ang|-tēne|t=-teen]] (see [[three]] and [[-teen]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) Similar formations are [[osx|thriutein]], [[ofs|thretten]], [[nl|dertien]], [[de|dreizehn]] and [[non|þrettán]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Before 900 in the OED and Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) The present form, by metathesis of ''r'' and ''i'', is from the 15th century: thyrtene before 1398 in Barnhart, thirteen in the late 14th century in Etymonline (compare [[third]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The noun is from late Old English.^(Etymonline) Thirteen was not an unlucky number in medieval England, but was rather linked with the customary extra item, as in a [[baker's dozen]].^(Etymonline)^(Collins 2023) The superstition grew from the Last Supper, and the bad luck of thirteen sitting down to dine is attested from the 1690s; most modern superstitions, such as floors numbered 12A, have developed since 1890.^(Etymonline) Thirteen-pence-halfpenny was said to be a hangman's wage, from about 1470.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 900 – þrēotēne.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1200 – thrittene.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1398 – thyrtene.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1690s – thirteen at table as unlucky.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The [[cardinal number]] equal to twelve plus one, written 13 or XIII.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A set or group of thirteen.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Amounting to thirteen.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[thirteenth]]

+ * [[thirteen-lined ground squirrel]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[triskaidekaphobia]]

+ * [[three]]

+ * [[third]]

+ * [[thirty]]

+ * [[-teen]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ In Ireland a thirteen was an English shilling, worth thirteen Irish pence when the two currencies differed.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}