one-fourth

UK: wʌn ˈfɔːθ | US: wʌn ˈfɔrθ

Definition

  1. n. one of four equal parts of a whole; 25%

Structure
one <1>fourth <ordinal form of "four">
Etymology

The word "one-fourth" is a compound formed by combining "one" (from Old English "ān," meaning the number 1) and "fourth" (derived from Old English "fēowertha," the ordinal form of "four"). The term logically represents a single part out of four equal divisions, reflecting its mathematical function as a fraction (¼). This construction follows a straightforward numerical pattern seen in other fractional terms (e.g., "one-third," "two-fifths").

Examples

  1. She ate one-fourth of the pizza and saved the rest.

  2. The project is only one-fourth complete.

  3. One-fourth of the students voted for the new policy.

  4. Mix one-fourth cup of sugar with the flour.

  5. The company’s profits fell by one-fourth this quarter.