Definition of the word thirteen

The origin of the word "thirteen" can be traced back to Old English, specifically the word "þrilīfon". This word consisted of three components: "þrī" meaning three, "lyh" meaning an additional or further quantity, and the suffix "-on" indicating plurality or repetition. In Old English, the word "þrilīfon" was used to represent a group of thirteen objects or individuals. Over time, the Old English spelling and pronunciation of "þrilīfon" adapted and transformed into Middle English, with the word being spelled "þiriueen" and pronounced "thur-ee-ven". The letter "þ" (known as the thorn) eventually fell out of use in Middle English, and this led to the word being spelled as "thyrten" in the Late Middle English period. In the 16th century, the word "thirteen" was coined and adopted in Modern English, as we know it today. Its meaning and usage continue to be widespread in modern English, as it is commonly used to represent the number of items or individuals that comprise a group made up of twelve and one additional component.