Eighteenth Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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eighteenth

[หˆeษชหŒtฤซnฮธ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

ordinal number

The term 'eighteenth' refers to the position in a sequence that comes after the seventeenth and before the nineteenth. It is used to denote the ordinal form of the number 18. In various contexts, such as in dates or rankings, it indicates the specific order or rank of an item or person. For example, the eighteenth day of the month or the eighteenth chapter of a book.

Synonyms

18th, 6th after 12th, ordinal eighteen.

Examples of usage

  • She was born on the eighteenth of July.
  • He ranked eighteenth in the competition.
  • The eighteenth century saw many changes in society.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The word comes from the Old English 'eihte' meaning eight, combined with 'teen', which means 'group of ten'.
  • In early counting systems, the concept of fractional values made the eighteenth significant in various cultures for dividing groups.

Mathematics

  • In fractions, the eighteenth part of a whole can represent a small division, often used in cooking and crafting.
  • Eighteenth notes are a musical term denoting sixteenth of a beat, enriching the rhythm in music compositions.

Literature

  • Many writers have referenced the eighteenth century, known for remarkable developments in Enlightenment thinking and literature.
  • Charles Dickens, a prominent author of the 19th century, often depicted society's shifts from the eighteenth-century realities.

Pop Culture

  • Many movies and shows celebrate birthdays, with the 'eighteenth' often marked as a coming-of-age milestone.
  • In various cultures, the eighteenth birthday symbolizes the transition into adulthood, signified by elaborate celebrations.

Science

  • In elemental properties, the eighteenth element on the periodic table is Argon, a noble gas essential for various industrial processes.
  • Biologically, many species exhibit growth patterns that can be divided into eighteenth segments for study in developmental biology.

Origin of 'eighteenth'

The word 'eighteenth' derives from the Old English form 'eorรพeลnฤซe', which merges the prefix 'eigh' referring to the numeral 8 and the suffix '-teenth', which is used to form ordinal numbers. This morphed through Middle English to become 'eighteenth'. The use of ordinal numbers in English has its roots in a system that dates back to counting systems that were used before the adoption of Arabic numerals. The structure of forming ordinal numbers in English often involves using the base cardinal number followed by the suffix '-th' or '-teenth' for numbers beyond 'third'. The linguistic evolution reflects broader historical changes in English culture, particularly in education and governance, that required precise methods of counting and categorization.


Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,539, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.