ninth-grader
UK[ˌnaɪnθ ˈɡreɪdə(r)]US[ˌnaɪnθ ˈɡreɪdər]
n
a student who is in the ninth grade at school
Morpheme Breakdown
ninth
grader
ninth
ordinal number
grader
one in a grade
Etymology
the term is a modern american english compound, formed in the 20th century within the context of the u.s. educational system's graded structure. the first element, 'ninth,' derives from the old english ordinal number 'nigotha,' which is built upon the proto-germanic root for the number nine, ultimately from the proto-indo-European root newn̥. the second element, 'grader,' combines 'grade,' from the latin gradus meaning 'step' or 'degree,' with the english agentive suffix '-er,' indicating a person associated with that specific step. thus, the compound literally and logically denotes 'one who is in the ninth step' of the academic progression.
Analysis
Structure: ninth (ordinal number) + grader (one in a grade)
ninth: from old english nigotha, related to the number nine; functions as a numerical identifier. grader: from the noun grade (a level in school) + the agent suffix -er (one who is or does); functions to denote a person belonging to a specified school grade.
Examples
my sister is a ninth-grader at the local high school.
the program pairs ninth-graders with senior students as mentors.
as a ninth-grader, she is beginning to think about college applications.