fifth

fifth · ordinal

imported

Definitions

ordinal

  1. 1.

    Constituting number five in a sequence; coming after the fourth.

  2. 2.

    Each of five equal parts into which something is divided.

  3. 3.

    (Music) An interval spanning five consecutive notes in a diatonic scale.

  4. 4.

    (US) A bottle containing one fifth of a US gallon of alcohol.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    take the Fifth — refuse to answer a question to avoid self-incrimination (from the Fifth Amendment)
  • •
    fifth wheel — a superfluous person or thing
  • •
    fifth column — a group working secretly to undermine from within

Related words

See also: fifteen, fifty, five
Synonyms: 5th

Etymology

From Old English fifta, from fif ("five"). Related to other Germanic ordinals like German funfte and Dutch vijfde.