five-string
UK[ˈfaɪv strɪŋ]US[ˈfaɪv strɪŋ]
n
A musical instrument, typically a banjo or a violin (fiddle), that has five strings instead of the usual four.
n
A set of five strings for such an instrument.
adj
Describing an instrument that has five strings.
Morpheme Breakdown
five
string
five
quantity
string
cord
Etymology
The compound 'five-string' is a transparent Modern English formation, combining the cardinal number 'five' with the noun 'string'. 'Five' traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root penkwe-, which gave rise to a vast family of number words across Indo-European languages, including Latin 'quinque' and Greek 'pente'. 'String' originates from the Proto-Germanic strangiz, meaning a line or cord, itself derived from a root meaning 'tight' or 'taut', which also led to the adjective 'strong'. The compound logically and descriptively denotes an object—most commonly a musical instrument—characterized by the specific quantity of five taut cords, a modification from a standard four-string configuration to alter its range and tonal quality.
Analysis
Structure: five (quantity) + string (cord)
five: From Old English 'fīf', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch 'vijf' and German 'fünf', from an Indo-European root shared by Latin 'quinque' and Greek 'pente'. Functions as a numerical quantifier.
string: From Old English 'streng', of Germanic origin; related to German 'Strang', also to 'strong'. Functions as the core noun denoting a thin cord.
Examples
He played a lively tune on his five-string banjo.
I need to replace a broken string on my fiddle, so I bought a new five-string set.
The five-string electric violin has a richer, deeper sound than the traditional four-string model.