forty-five

UK: ˈfɔːti faɪv | US: ˈfɔːrti faɪv

Definition

  1. n. the number 45

  2. n. a .45 caliber firearm

  3. n. a 45 rpm phonograph record

Structure
forty <number 40>five <number 5>
Etymology

The word "forty-five" is a compound of "forty" (from Old English fēowertig, meaning "four tens") and "five" (from Old English fīf). It follows the standard English pattern for forming compound numbers (e.g., twenty-one, thirty-two). The term later extended to denote objects associated with the number 45, such as firearms (e.g., .45 caliber) or vinyl records (45 rpm).

Examples

  1. She scored forty-five points in the basketball game.

  2. The detective carried a forty-five for protection.

  3. My grandfather collects vintage forty-fives from the 1950s.

  4. The temperature dropped to forty-five degrees overnight.

  5. The meeting will start at forty-five minutes past the hour.