■ ordinal number
1》 constituting number five in a sequence; 5th.
2》 ( a ~/one ~ ) each of five equal parts into which something is or may be divided.
3》 Music an interval spanning five consecutive notes in a diatonic scale, in particular (also perfect ~ ) an interval of three tones and a semitone.
↘the note which is higher by such an interval than the root of a diatonic scale.
4》 US informal a ~ of a gallon, as a measure of alcoholic drink.
Phrases
take the ~ (in the US) exercise the right guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of refusing to answer questions in order to avoid incriminating oneself.
Derivatives
~ly adverb