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Sextuplet Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ๐Ÿ‘ถ
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sextuplet

[หˆsษ›kstrษ™หŒplษ›t ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

multiple births

A sextuplet is a group of six offspring born at one birth. This can occur in both human pregnancies and in animals. Sextuplets are quite rare compared to other multiples like twins or triplets. The term is often used in medical settings as well as in discussions about family planning and genetics.

Examples of usage

  • The couple was overjoyed when they welcomed sextuplets into their family.
  • Sextuplets require special medical attention during and after delivery.
  • Documentaries often highlight the challenges of raising sextuplet children.
  • Sextuplets may be conceived naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

History

  • The first recorded set of sextuplets born in the U.S. was in 1963, highlighting advances in prenatal care.
  • Famous sextuplets, the Dionne quintuplets, gained worldwide fame in the 1930s, attracting widespread media attention.

Science

  • Multiple births, including sextuplets, can result from natural conception or fertility treatments that stimulate ovulation.
  • Sextuplets are rare; the odds of having such a birth naturally can be as low as 1 in 4.7 billion.

Pop Culture

  • Television shows and documentaries often feature families with sextuplets, portraying the challenges and joys of large families.
  • Notably, there was a reality TV series centered around the McGhee sextuplets, which showed their daily life and adventures.

Psychology

  • Studies indicate that parents of higher-order multiples face unique stressors, including financial strain and child-rearing challenges.
  • Experts suggest that managing the emotional and logistical demands of raising multiple young children can significantly impact family dynamics.

Origin of 'sextuplet'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from 'sextus' in Latin, meaning 'six', combined with 'tuple', which refers to groups or sets.
  • The prefix 'sex-' is often used in mathematical contexts, indicating six of something, similar to 'triple' for three.

The term 'sextuplet' is derived from the Latin root 'sextus', meaning 'sixth'. It combines 'sextus' with the English suffix '-uplet', which denotes a group of a certain number of parts. Originally, the word reflects the concept of multiples resulting from a single pregnancy, distinguishing sextuplets from other multiples such as twins (two) and triplets (three). The first known use of the term in English dates back to the early 20th century, aligning with increasing scientific interest in multiple births. As medical advancements allowed for better prenatal care, the births of sextuplets became more recorded and discussed, especially in the context of assisted reproductive technologies, such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Over time, the use of 'sextuplet' garnered attention not just in medical literature but also in popular culture, highlighting the challenges and joys of families with multiple births.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,530, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.