fourth
UK: fɔːθ | US: fɔrθ
adj. next after third in position, order, or rank
n. 1. the ordinal number matching the number four in a series
n. 2. one of four equal parts of something; a quarter
fourth = four<number 4> + th<ordinal suffix>
- four: From Old English fēower, Proto-Germanic fedwōr, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European kʷetwóres. Retains its core meaning as the number 4.
- th: A suffix used to form ordinal numbers (e.g., fifth, sixth), derived from Old English -þa, -þe.
Etymology Origin:
The word fourth combines the ancient root for the number 4 with a Germanic ordinal suffix, reflecting a straightforward numerical ranking system. The -th suffix has been consistently used in English since Old English to denote position in a sequence, making fourth a logical and stable construction.
She finished in fourth place in the race.
A fourth of the pizza was left uneaten.
This is the fourth time I’ve called you today.
The fourth chapter of the book is the most interesting.
Cut the cake into fourths so everyone gets an equal share.