thousandth

Everyday

1. Coming last in a line of a thousand, number 1000 in order (1000th). tree →
2. One of a thousand equal parts of something: 1/1000 or 0.001. tree →

In the lessons

In maths, decimal place value: the third digit after the decimal point is the thousandths place (in 4.256, the 6 means six thousandths). A millimetre is a thousandth of a metre; a millilitre is a thousandth of a litre. Everyday: «for the thousandth time» means «again and again». Phrases: «a thousandth of a second», «thousandths place», «for the thousandth time».

Examples

• A millimetre is one thousandth of a metre. tree →
• In 3.125, the digit 5 is in the thousandths place. tree →
• She won the race by a thousandth of a second. tree →
• Tidy your room — I'm telling you for the thousandth time! tree →
• The shop gave a prize to its thousandth customer. tree →
• Write three thousandths as a decimal: 0.003. tree →

Note

Spelling: thousand + th (thousandth). Maths: 1/1000 = 0.001; tenths (0.1), hundredths (0.01), thousandths (0.001). Trap: «thousandths» (parts) vs «thousands» (place value to the left). «For the thousandth time» is an exaggeration, not an exact count.

In Jewish tradition

God shows mercy to the thousandth generation of those who love Him, far more than the punishment, which reaches only three or four generations.

Interpretation. Tradition reads this as showing that God's kindness is far greater than His punishment.

Examples

• and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments. (Torah EXO.20.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Spelling: thousand + th (thousandth). Maths: 1/1000 = 0.001; tenths (0.1), hundredths (0.01), thousandths (0.001). Trap: «thousandths» (parts) vs «thousands» (place value to the left). «For the thousandth time» is an exaggeration, not an exact count.