What does quadragesimal mean?
“Quadragesimal” is a formal word derived from Latin for forty. As an adjective, it can mean consisting of forty, relating to the fortieth position in a sequence, or relating to the forty-day Christian observance of Lent. As a noun, it denotes a fortieth part of a whole. Its precise uses are uncommon in ordinary modern English, but it remains useful in historical, mathematical, and liturgical writing because it identifies a numerical relationship directly and unmistakably. The term also illustrates how English vocabulary preserves the influence of Latin: quadragesimal comes from quadragesimus, the Latin ordinal meaning “fortieth,” which in turn derives from quadraginta, “forty.” The related word quarantine ultimately comes through French from the same Latin numeral, although its modern meaning developed from the practice of isolating people for forty days.
Consisting of or relating to forty; especially denoting the fortieth place or part in a series.
"The final division was a quadragesimal reduction of the original amount."
Also used in religious contexts for the forty-day observance of Lent.
A fortieth part of a whole.
"The grant amounted to a quadragesimal of the total allocation."
The plural is rare because the noun itself is uncommon.
"Each of the three quadragesimals was calculated separately."
It belongs to the family of forty: Latin quadragesimus meant “the fortieth,” and the word still preserves that ancient number.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does quadragesimal come from?
English quadragesimal was borrowed from Latin quadragesimus, meaning “the fortieth,” a form of quadraginta, “forty.” The same Latin root also produced forms associated with quarantine through French, originally referring to a period of forty days. Latin quadragesimus and quadraginta are therefore direct relatives of the English word.
Related word forms
How quadragesimal is actually used
This is a formal and relatively uncommon word. It is encountered chiefly in mathematical, historical, and religious writing, particularly in discussions of Lent.