fourths
UK[fɔːθs]US[fɔːrθs]
n
the ordinal number corresponding to the number four; the position in a sequence after third and before fifth.
n
(in plural) the fourth of a set of equal parts; quarters.
Etymology
the word "fourths" traces its lineage directly to the proto-indo-european numeral root "kʷetwóres", meaning four. in proto-germanic, this evolved into "fedwōr", and the ordinal form was created by adding the suffix "-þô", yielding "fedurþô". this entered old english as "feorþa". the middle english period saw the spelling shift to "fourthe", aligning with the cardinal number "four". the modern "fourth" was standardized, and the regular plural "-s" is added to create "fourths", denoting multiple instances of this ordinal position or fractional part. the core logic is the consistent application of the germanic ordinal-forming suffix to the stable numeral root, resulting in a term for sequence and division.
Analysis
the word "fourths" is a simplex form derived from the base word "fourth" with the addition of the regular English plural suffix "-s". the base "fourth" itself is a fused form from old english "feorþa", derived from proto-germanic "fedurþô", which is built on the root "fedwōr-" (four) with the ordinal suffix "-þô". the modern spelling "four-" evolved from middle english "fourthe".
Examples
she finished in fourths place in the race.
cut the pie into fourths so everyone gets an equal share.
three fourths of the class voted in favor of the new rule.