I. ˈfō(ə)rth, -ȯ(ə)rth, -ōəth, -ȯ(ə)th adjective
Etymology: Middle English fourthe, adjective & noun, alteration (influenced by four, foure four) of ferthe, from Old English fēortha, fēowertha (akin to Old High German fiordo fourth, Old Norse fjōrthi ), from fēower four + -tha -th — more at four
1. : being number four in a countable series
the fourth day
— see number table
2. : being one of four equal parts into which something is divisible
a fourth share of the money
3. in certain motor vehicles : being the forward gear or speed next higher than third
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English fourthe
1. : number four in a countable series
the fourth of the month
2. : the quotient of a unit divided by four : one of four equal parts of something
one fourth of the total
3.
a. : the musical interval embracing four diatonic degrees
b. : the tone at this interval ; specifically : subdominant
c. : the harmonic combination of two tones a fourth apart
4. : the fourth forward gear or speed of a motor vehicle
5.
a. usually capitalized : independence day — used with preceding the
b. Britain : the day on which bills dated the first of the month become due — used in the phrase fourth of the month
6. : quarte
III. adverb
1. : in the fourth place
2. : with three exceptions
the nation's fourth largest city