seventy-six
UK[ˈsev.ən.ti sɪks]US[ˈsev.ən.ti sɪks]
n
The number equivalent to the product of seven and ten plus six; 76
n
A size, age, or other designation denoted by the number 76
Morpheme Breakdown
seventy
six
seventy
number
six
number
Etymology
The word "seventy-six" is a transparent compound numeral formed within the Germanic language tradition. Its first element, "seventy," originates from the Old English system of counting by tens, where "-tig" denoted a decade. The second element, "six," is one of the most stable and ancient numerals, traceable directly to Proto-Indo-European. The compound's logic is purely arithmetic, combining the value of seven tens with six units. This additive, place-value method of forming numbers above twenty is characteristic of English and other Germanic languages, creating a direct and logical lexical representation of the mathematical sum.
Analysis
Structure: seventy (number) + six (number)
seventy: From Old English hundseofontig, a compound of hund- (a hundred) and seofon (seven) plus -tig (group of ten). In modern English, it functions as the cardinal number 70.
six: From Old English siex, sex, from Proto-Germanic sehs, from Proto-Indo-European swéḱs. It functions as the cardinal number 6.
Examples
She scored seventy-six on the final exam.
The classic American rifle is often referred to as a "seventy-six".
He celebrated his seventy-sixth birthday with a large family gathering.