two

Everyday

1. Two is the number 2, one more than one. tree →
2. A two is the digit 2 or a card or die face with 2 on it. tree →
3. «In two» means in two pieces. tree →
4. (casual) «A couple» often means two, but can mean «a few»; «a sec» or «two ticks» (UK) means a short moment. tree →
5. (casual) «Two-faced» means saying one thing and doing another; «my two cents» means my opinion. tree →
6. (casual) In texts «2» can mean «to» or «too»: «c u 2morrow», «me 2». tree →
7. (formal) Exams say «twofold», «a pair of», «both», «double», «duplicate» or «twain» (old). tree →

In the lessons

an amount told in words; pairs, twins, both and twice hide a 2; halves split into two equal parts; phrases: «two by two», «in two», «one or two», «a pair», «twice», «two of a kind»; in casual talk «a couple», «back in two ticks», «just my two cents», «me 2»; in rough talk «you two, shut it», «two-faced liar»; in the exam voice «twofold», «both quantities», «a pair of», «in a ratio of two to one»

Examples

• I place two apples on the table. tree →
• Two children share 10 sweets equally. tree →
• Mia has two boxes with 6 pens in each. tree →
• We have two hands and two feet. tree →
• Cut the sandwich in two. tree →
• Count in twos: 2, 4, 6, 8. tree →
• My little brother is two years old. tree →
• Back in two ticks, don't eat my chips. tree →
• Oi, you two, shut it and count. tree →
• c u 2morrow, bring 2 pens (the first «2» means «to»). tree →
• A quantity increases twofold, from 8 to 16. tree →
• Both boxes contain 6 pens. tree →
• Already there are two too many. tree →

Note

A number word: read it as 2. Trap: «a pair», «twice», «both», «double» and «twofold» also hide a 2. Trap: «a couple» may mean about two or a few. Trap: «two», «to» and «too» sound the same, and texts write «2» for all three. Even numbers can be split into twos with none left over.

In Jewish tradition

Two is used for pairs, such as two tablets, two sockets, or two birds.

Interpretation. Tradition notices pairs such as the two tablets of the covenant, and Sefer Yetzirah speaks of two stones building two houses.

Examples

• Each board had two tenons, joined one to another. (Torah EXO.36.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Reu lived two and thirty years, and begot Serug. (Torah GEN.11.20, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thus he did to both of them in the two corners. (Torah EXO.36.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• The children of Azmaveth, forty and two. (Writings EZR.2.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• The children of Nebo, fifty and two. (Writings EZR.2.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• The men of Beth-azmaveth, forty and two. (Writings NEH.7.28, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

A number word: read it as 2. Trap: «a pair», «twice», «both», «double» and «twofold» also hide a 2. Trap: «a couple» may mean about two or a few. Trap: «two», «to» and «too» sound the same, and texts write «2» for all three. Even numbers can be split into twos with none left over.