forty

(fôrtē)

adjective

four times ten

Origin: ME fourti < OE feowertig, akin to Ger vierzig, Goth fidwor tigjus: see four & -ty

noun pl. forties

the cardinal number between thirty-nine and forty-one; 40; XL

See forty in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. for·ties
  1. The cardinal number equal to 4 × 10.
  2. forties
    a. A decade or the numbers from 40 to 49: They stopped smoking in their forties. At night the temperature fell into the forties.
    b. often Forties The decade from 40 to 49 in a century.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English fēowertig; see kwetwer- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • forˈty adjective & pron.

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