mid-sixties
UK[ˌmɪd ˈsɪkstiz]US[ˌmɪd ˈsɪkstiz]
n
the period of time when someone is between 64 and 66 years old
n
the numbers in a series from 64 to 66
Morpheme Breakdown
mid
sixties
mid
middle
sixties
sixty
Etymology
the term 'mid-sixties' is a modern english compound formed from two native english elements. the combining form 'mid' descends directly from the old english 'midd', a common germanic word with proto-indo-european roots in 'medhyo-', meaning "middle". it is prefixed to numerical ranges to specify the central portion. the element 'sixties' derives from 'sixty', which originated from old english 'sixtig', a compound of 'six' and the suffix '-tig' denoting a group of ten. the construction follows a transparent and logical pattern in english for denoting the middle of a decade or age range, literally meaning "the middle of the sixties".
Analysis
Structure: mid (middle) + sixties (sixty)
- mid: from old english 'midd', meaning "middle". functions as a combining form to denote the central part of a period or range.
- sixties: from old english 'sixtig', meaning "sixty". functions as the base number, with the plural suffix '-s' indicating the decade or age range from 60 to 69.
Examples
she plans to retire in her mid-sixties.
the economic boom began in the mid-sixties.
temperatures are expected to reach the mid-sixties fahrenheit this afternoon.