one-tenth

UK: wʌn tɛnθ | US: wʌn tɛnθ

Definition

  1. n. one part out of ten equal parts; 10%

Structure
one <1>tenth <10th part>
Etymology

The word "one-tenth" is a straightforward compound formed by combining "one" (from Old English "ān," meaning the number 1) and "tenth" (from Old English "tēoþa," derived from "tīen," meaning ten). The suffix "-th" in "tenth" denotes ordinal numbering. Together, the term literally means "the first of ten equal parts," representing a 10% fraction. This construction follows a logical numerical division pattern seen in English (e.g., "one-third," "one-half").

Examples

  1. Only one-tenth of the applicants passed the rigorous exam.

  2. The charity allocated one-tenth of its funds to emergency relief.

  3. Her share amounted to one-tenth of the total profit.

  4. The recipe calls for one-tenth of a teaspoon of salt.

  5. Pollution levels dropped by one-tenth after the new regulations were enforced.