twenty-fifth
twenty-fifth
UK[ˈtwenti ˈfɪfθ]US[ˈtwenti ˈfɪfθ]
adj
Constituting number twenty-five in a sequence; 25th.
n
The position in a sequence corresponding to the number twenty-five.
n
One of twenty-five equal parts of something.
Morpheme Breakdown
twenty
fifth
twenty
20
fifth
ordinal of 5
Etymology
The word "twenty-fifth" is a transparent compound formed within English by combining the cardinal number "twenty" with the ordinal suffix "-fifth." "Twenty" itself originates from the Old English twēntig, meaning "two tens" or a score, reflecting a Germanic decimal counting system. The ordinal element "-fifth" derives from Old English fīfta, which applied the productive ordinal-forming suffix "-th" to the root fīf (five). The compound's logic is purely arithmetic, designating the position arrived at by counting five units beyond the twentieth, a pattern consistent across the Germanic languages for constructing higher ordinals.
Analysis
Structure: twenty (20) + fifth (ordinal of 5)
- twenty: From Old English twēntig, meaning "group of twenty," from twēn- (two) + -tig (group of ten). Functions as the cardinal number base.
- fifth: From Old English fīfta, the ordinal form of fīf (five), with the suffix -th denoting ordinal number. Functions as the ordinal suffix attached to the cardinal base.
Examples
She celebrated her twenty-fifth birthday with a trip abroad.
The amendment is known as the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
He finished in twenty-fifth place in the marathon.