forty-six
UK[ˈfɔːti sɪks]US[ˈfɔːrti sɪks]
n
The cardinal number that is equal to six more than forty
adj
Being six more than forty
Morpheme Breakdown
forty
six
forty
40
six
6
Etymology
The compound number "forty-six" follows the standard Germanic pattern of combining a multiple of ten with a unit. "Forty" originates from the Old English "féowertig," a compound of "féower" (four) and "tig" (a group of ten), literally meaning "four tens." The spelling evolved in Middle English, losing the 'u' from "four." "Six" derives from the Old English "siex," tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root s(w)eḱs. The logic of the compound is purely arithmetic, combining the quantity represented by "forty" with the quantity represented by "six" to denote the total sum, a transparent and consistent method for forming numbers in English.
Analysis
Structure: forty (40) + six (6)
- forty: From Old English féowertig, meaning "four tens". The modern spelling with 'u' dropped from 'four' is a Middle English development.
- six: From Old English siex, sex, from Proto-Germanic sehs, meaning the number after five.
Examples
She scored forty-six points in the basketball game.
The recipe requires forty-six ounces of flour.
He lives at forty-six Maple Street.