Fourteenth Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐
fourteenth
[หfษrหtinฮธ ]
Definition
ordinal number
Fourteenth is the ordinal form of the number fourteen. It is used to indicate the position of an item in a sequential order. For example, it can refer to the fourteenth item in a list or the fourteenth day of the month.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He finished in fourteenth place in the race.
- The fourteenth chapter of the book was the most exciting.
- She was born on the fourteenth of July.
- They released their fourteenth album last year.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Mathematics
- In fractional terms, fourteenth represents one part of fourteen equal parts.
- It is often used in mathematical contexts, such as identifying the 14th item in a sequence.
- The fraction for fourteenth would be 1/14, which is important in division and analysis.
Culture
- The fourteenth day of February is celebrated as Valentine's Day, a day for expressing love.
- In some cultures, significant events or celebrations are held every fourteenth day of certain months, based on lunar calendars.
- Fourteenth-century art saw the rise of important movements like Gothic architecture, impacting the way structures were built.
Literature
- In Shakespeareโs works, numerous references are made to different orders of numbers, including fourteenth.
- The concept of a fourteenth chapter often symbolizes a turning point or climax in storytelling.
- Classic literature sometimes employs ordinal numbers like 'fourteenth' to emphasize hierarchy or order in society.
Games and Sports
- In many card games, like poker, some variants have rules related to the fourteenth card dealt.
- In tournament settings, being in the fourteenth place can signify a close competition, often motivating players to improve.
- In chess, having the fourteenth move can change the outcome of a game, showcasing strategic depth.
Origin of 'fourteenth'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'fourteenth' comes from the Old English term 'feorรฐe' meaning four.
- It combines 'four' with the suffix '-teenth' which is used to indicate position in a series.
- This word has been in English since the 14th century, showing the development of number terms over time.
The word 'fourteenth' originates from the Old English term 'fฤowerteลna', which means 'fourteen'. The prefix 'four-' is derived from the Proto-Germanic '*faiwลr', which comes from the Proto-Indo-European root '*kwetwer', meaning four. The suffix '-teenth' is related to the Old English '-teลna', which pertains to the ordinal number system. This construction represents a qualitative transition from the cardinal number 'fourteen' to its ordinal form, indicating position or sequence rather than quantity. The use of 'fourteenth' in English has been consistent since its early forms, reflecting a common feature in many languages where numbers can be expressed in both cardinal and ordinal forms.