fourth

(fôrt̸h, fōrt̸h)

adjective

  1. preceded by three others in a series; 4th
  2. designating any of the four equal parts of something
  3. designating the forward gear ratio of a motor vehicle next after third gear

Origin: ME feorthe, ferthe < OE feortha: see four & -th

noun

  1. the one following the third
  2. any of the four equal parts of something;
  3. Music
    1. the fourth tone of an ascending diatonic scale, or a tone three degrees above or below any given tone in such a scale; subdominant
    2. the interval between two such tones, or a combination of them

adverb

in the fourth place, rank, group, etc.

Related Forms:

See fourth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The ordinal number matching the number four in a series.
  2. One of four equal parts.
  3. Music
    a. A tone four degrees above or below a given tone in a diatonic scale.
    b. The interval between two such tones.
    c. The harmonic combination of these tones.
    d. The subdominant of a scale or key.
  4. The transmission gear or gear ratio used to produce forward speeds next higher to those of third in a motor vehicle.
  5. Fourth The Fourth of July; Independence Day. Used with the: went to a parade on the Fourth.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English fourthe

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

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Related Forms:

  • fourth adverb & adj.

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