century

Definitions

From Latin centuria, 'a group of one hundred.' At first it could mean a hundred of anything; English narrowed it to a hundred years. So 'century' quietly assumes you mean years — no need to say 'a century of years.'

Common Collocations

• 1.20th century20世纪
• 2.21st century21世纪
• 3.this century本世纪

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The cathedral has stood in the same spot for over five centuries.

• 2.

  Scientists expect major changes in climate this century.

• 3.

  The painting dates back to the seventeenth century.