four
/fɔːr/
numeral
Origin
Proto-Indo-European
*kwetwóres — four
Overview
Meaning Now
- The number equivalent to the sum of two and two.
- Consisting of four items or parts.
Literal older meaning
the number 4
Language path
Proto-Indo-European → Proto-Germanic → Old English → Middle English → English
Earliest form
fēower
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
As a fundamental cardinal number, 'four' has remained remarkably stable in Germanic languages due to its high frequency of use in daily counting and measurement.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*kwetwóres
“four”
- Proto-Germanic
*fedwōr
“four”
Development of the initial consonant cluster and vowel shift.
- Old English
fēower
“four”
- Middle English
four
“four”
Stabilization of spelling towards modern form.
Connections
Word parts
four
root
four
Related across languages
Latin
quattuor
four
Greek
tessares
four
Sanskrit
catvāras
four
German
vier
four
Explore next
Related to four
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.