quin
UK[kwɪn]US[kwɪn]
n
A set or sequence of five, especially in cards or dice.
n
A quintuplet.
Morpheme Breakdown
quin
quin
five
Etymology
The word "quin" is a direct clipping or shortening of the Latin numeral "quinque," meaning five. It entered English as a specialized term, primarily in games of chance and music, to denote a group or set of five. Unlike more complex formations, it functions as a simplex morpheme, its entire form representing the core numerical concept. Its usage reflects a pattern in English of adopting concise, often Latin-based, terms for specific numerical groupings.
Analysis
Structure: quin (five)
quin (Latin: quinque, meaning "five")
Examples
In the rare hand, she held a quin of aces.
The family welcomed quins, which was a joyous and overwhelming event.
The composer wrote a passage for a quin of trumpets.