fifty-first
UK[ˌfɪfti ˈfɜːst]US[ˌfɪfti ˈfɜːrst]
adj
coming next after the fiftieth in a series; 51st
n
the ordinal number matching the number fifty-one in a series
Morpheme Breakdown
fifty
first
fifty
first
Etymology
the word "fifty-first" is a modern english compound ordinal number, formed by combining the cardinal number "fifty" with the ordinal suffix "first." "fifty" originates from old english fīftig, a compound of fīf (five) and the suffix -tig (group of ten), tracing back to proto-germanic fimf tigiwiz. "first" derives from old english fyrst, itself from proto-germanic furistaz (foremost), a superlative form of fura (before). the logical construction follows the standard english pattern for ordinals above twentieth, where the cardinal base is modified by the ordinal form of the final digit, precisely indicating position in a sequence.
Analysis
Structure: fifty + first
fifty (from old english fīftig, meaning the number five tens); first (from old english fyrst, meaning foremost in position, time, or order)
Examples
he celebrated his fifty-first birthday with a quiet family dinner.
the amendment was the fifty-first to be added to the constitution.
she finished in fifty-first place in the marathon.