First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
fifth
noun \ˈfith, ˈfif(t)th, ˈfift\
: number five in a series
: one of five equal parts of something
: a unit of measure for alcoholic liquor that is equal to one fifth of a U.S. gallon (approximately 750 ml); also : a bottle that holds this amount of liquor
plural fifths \ˈfiths, ˈfif(t)ths, ˈfif(t)s\
Full Definition of FIFTH
1
— see number table
2
a : the musical interval embracing five diatonic degrees b : a tone at this interval; specifically : dominant 1 c : the harmonic combination of two tones at this interval
3
: a unit of measure for liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon (0.757 liter)
4
capitalized : the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution; also : the right accorded by the Fifth Amendment to refuse to testify against oneself —usually used in the phrase take the Fifth
— fifth adjective or adverb
— fifth·ly adverb
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Origin of FIFTH
Middle English fifte, fifthe, from Old English fīfta, from fīf five
FIFTHS Defined for Kids
1fifth
adjective \ˈfifth\
Definition of FIFTH for Kids
: coming right after fourth
2fifth
noun
Definition of FIFTH for Kids
1
: number five in a series <The school year began on the fifth of September.>
2
: one of five equal parts <I got a fifth of the money.>
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