fifty-six
UK[ˈfɪfti sɪks]US[ˈfɪfti sɪks]
n
The number equivalent to the product of five and ten plus six; 56
n
A size, age, or other designation represented by the number fifty-six
Morpheme Breakdown
fifty
six
fifty
50
six
6
Etymology
The word 'fifty-six' is a transparent compound numeral formed within the Germanic linguistic tradition, specifically from Old English. The first element, 'fifty', originates from the Old English 'fīftig', itself a combination of 'fīf' (five) and the decade-forming suffix '-tig', related to 'ten'. The second element, 'six', descends directly from the Old English 'siex'. This additive method of constructing numbers above twenty (e.g., five-tens plus six) is characteristic of the English and Germanic numbering system. The compound's literal meaning has remained stable, logically denoting the sum of fifty and six since its formation in the early medieval period.
Analysis
Structure: fifty (50) + six (6)
fifty: From Old English fīftig, a compound of fīf (five) and the suffix -tig (group of ten). Its functional role is as a cardinal number representing five tens.
six: From Old English siex, sex, from Proto-Germanic sehs, representing the cardinal number 6. Its functional role is as a cardinal number added to the base of tens.
Examples
She scored fifty-six points in the basketball game.
The classic model is the Ford 'Fifty-Six'.
He is fifty-six years old.