Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - century

n. (pl. -ies) 1 a a period of one hundred years. b any of the centuries reckoned from the birth of Christ (twentieth century = 1901-2000; fifth century BC = 500-401 BC). Usage In modern use often reckoned as (e.g.) 1900-1999. 2 a a score etc. of a hundred in a sporting event, esp. a hundred runs by one batsman in cricket. b a group of a hundred things. 3 a a company in the ancient Roman army, orig. of 100 men. b an ancient Roman political division for voting. Phrases and idioms century plant a plant, Agave americana, flowering once in many years and yielding sap from which tequila is distilled: also called American aloe (see ALOE). Etymology: L centuria f. centum hundred