seven

UK: ˈsev.ən | US: ˈsev.ən

Definition

  1. n. the cardinal number equivalent to the sum of six and one; 7

  2. adj. amounting to seven in number

Structure
sev <seven>en <suffix forming numerals>
Etymology

seven = sev<seven> + en<suffix forming numerals>

  • sev<seven>: Derived from Old English seofon, Proto-Germanic sebun, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European septḿ̥.
  • en<suffix forming numerals>: A common Germanic suffix used in cardinal numbers (e.g., eleven, twelve).

Etymology Origin:
The word seven traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root septḿ̥, which is the source of similar words across Indo-European languages (e.g., Latin septem, Greek heptá). In Old English, it evolved to seofon, influenced by Proto-Germanic sebun. The suffix -en is a Germanic numeral marker, preserved in archaic forms like eleven and twelve. The stability of seven across millennia highlights its foundational role in counting systems.

Examples

  1. There are seven days in a week.

  2. She baked seven cakes for the party.

  3. The rainbow has seven distinct colors.

  4. He scored seven goals in the match.

  5. The ancient wonder list includes seven marvels.