I. ˈdəz ə n noun
( plural dozens or dozen )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English dozeine, from Old French dozaine, from doze twelve, from Latin duodecim, from duo two + -decim (from decem ten) — more at two , ten
1.
a. : a group of 12
oranges sold by the dozen
a dozen eggs
three dozen bottles of ale
dozens of people
b. : any of the three columns respectively representing the numbers 1 to 12, 13 to 24, and 25 to 36 on which one may bet at roulette
2.
a. : a group containing an indefinite small number
a dozen years ago
scribbled a dozen words on a scrap of paper
b. : a larger number than one might expect — usually used in plural
I've dozens of things to do
she had dozens of chances to marry
3. archaic : coarse woolen cloth formerly made in England and commonly woven in lengths of approximately 12 yards each — usually used in plural
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to make up into lots of a dozen
dozened the load of apples
III. noun
dozens plural : a game that consists of exchanging often obscene insults usually about the members of the opponent's family — often used in the phrase play the dozens