I. ˈfif(t)th, ˈfift, rapid or substand ˈfith adjective
Etymology: Middle English fifte, fifthe, adjective & noun, from Old English fīfta (akin to Old High German fimfto, finfto, Old Norse fimmti ), from fīf five + -ta (from -otha, -tha -th) — more at five
1. : being number five in a countable series
the fifth day
— see number table
2. : being one of five equal parts into which something is divisible
a fifth share of the money
II. noun
( plural fifths ˈfif(t)ths, ˈfif(t)s, rapid or substand ˈfiths)
Etymology: Middle English fifte, fifthe
1. : number five in a countable series
the fifth of the month
2. : the quotient of a unit divided by five : one of five equal parts of something
one fifth of the total
3.
a. : the musical interval embracing five diatonic degrees
b. : the tone at this interval ; specifically : dominant 2b
c. : the harmonic combination of two tones at this interval
4. : a unit of capacity for liquor equal to one fifth of a United States gallon ; also : a bottle holding this quantity of liquor
5. : quinte
III. adverb
Etymology: fifth (I)
1. : in the fifth place
2. : with four exceptions
the nation's fifth largest city