Gross (unit)
In English and related languages, several terms involving the words "great" or "gross" relate to numbers involving a multiple of exponents of twelve :
- A gross refers to a group of 144 items.
- A great gross refers to a group of 1728 items.
- A small gross or a great hundred refers to a group of 120 items.
The term dates from the early 15th century, from the Old French grosse douzaine, "large dozen”. A gross may be abbreviated as "gr" or "gro".
The continued use of these numbers in measurement and counting represents a continuation of the tradition of the duodecimal number system in everyday life and has encouraged groups such as the Dozenal Society of America to advocate for a wider use of such a numbering system in place of decimal.
