trillion
/ˈtrɪljən/
noun
Origin
Latin
trillionem — a third power of a million
Overview
Meaning Now
- The number represented by a one followed by twelve zeros (10^12) in the short scale used in English-speaking countries.
- A very large, indefinite number.
Language path
Latin → Italian → French → English
Earliest form
trillion
Earliest period
16th century
Journey
The term was created in the 15th century by French mathematicians who needed to name powers of a million beyond the existing 'million' and 'billion'. In the 'long scale' system, a trillion represented a million to the third power (10^18). The 'short scale' system, which redefined a trillion as 10^12, became standard in the United States and later in the United Kingdom during the 20th century.
Evolution
- Latin
tres
“three”
- Italian
trilione
“third power of a million”
Coined by French mathematician Jehan Adam or Nicolas Chuquet.
- 17th century English
trillion
“10^18 (long scale)”
Originally followed the long scale system where each power of a million was denoted by a prefix.
Connections
Word parts
tri-
prefix
three
-illion
suffix
augmented suffix from million
Related across languages
French
a trillion (10^18 in long scale)
Italian
trilione
a trillion
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.