fifty-two

UK: ˈfɪfti tuː | US: ˈfɪfti tuː

Definition

  1. adj. the number equivalent to the sum of fifty and two; 52

  2. n. the numeral or symbol representing this number

Structure
fifty <five tens>two <the number 2>
Etymology

The word "fifty-two" is a compound numeral formed by combining "fifty" (from Old English "fīftig," derived from "fīf" meaning "five" + "-tig" meaning "group of ten") and "two" (from Old English "twā," meaning the number 2). This structure follows the Germanic pattern of numeral formation, where tens and units are combined directly. The logic is straightforward: "five tens plus two."

Examples

  1. She bought fifty-two apples for the party.

  2. The temperature today is fifty-two degrees Fahrenheit.

  3. There are fifty-two weeks in a year.

  4. He scored fifty-two points in the basketball game.

  5. The book has fifty-two chapters.