fortnight
UK: /ˈfɔːtnaɪt/ | US: /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
n. a period of two weeks (14 days)
fortnight = fort<fourteen> + night<night>
- fort<fourteen>: Derived from Old English fēowertyne niht ("fourteen nights"). The term "fort" is a contraction of "fourteen," reflecting the counting of nights as a traditional timekeeping method.
- night<night>: Refers to the unit of time (a night), emphasizing the historical practice of counting days by nights rather than days.
Etymology Origin:
The word "fortnight" originates from Old English fēowertyne niht, literally meaning "fourteen nights." This reflects an ancient Germanic tradition of measuring time in nights rather than days (e.g., "sennight" for seven nights, now archaic). Over time, "fourteen nights" contracted into "fortnight," preserving the logic of night-based timekeeping while simplifying pronunciation.
We’ll be on vacation for a fortnight starting next Monday.
The project deadline is in a fortnight, so we need to work efficiently.
She visits her grandparents once every fortnight.
A fortnight has passed since the last full moon.
The festival lasts a fortnight and attracts visitors from all over the world.