Fourteenth

Part of speech: adjective, noun

Pronunciation: /ˌfɔːˈtiːnθ/

Definitions

1. The ordinal term indicates the place that comes directly after the thirteenth in a sequence
2. This word refers to the numerical rank that follows the thirteenth position in an arrangement
3. Used to describe something that holds the position directly following number thirteen in order

Etymology: "Fourteenth" is a plain compound of "fourteen" and the ordinal suffix "-th," and its history follows the usual path of English ordinal numbers. Its ancestor is the Old English "fēowertēoþa," built from "fēower" (four) and "-tēoþa," the ordinal ending that goes with "tēn" (ten), so the word was assembled from two number-words that were already in use. The form changed as English changed. In Middle English it appeared as "fourtenthe" and "fourtethe," and the modern spelling settled later, with the "-teenth" ending matching the cardinal "fourteen." Its meaning has never shifted: it has always named the position that comes directly after thirteenth in a sequence.

Synonyms: fourth, fourth in sequence