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septenary

septenary

9.9
A group of seven things or the number seven
  • noun
  • /ˈsɛptəˌnɛri/
translation icon : septenario
  • In mathematics, a septenary system is based on the number seven.

Examples

  • Seven dwarfs in a fairy tale make up a septenary group of characters.

  • Hence, three plus four make seven, that Septenary a Sabaoth into which the creature enters.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The artist painted a septenary mural representing the seven virtues.

Synonyms

seven
vsseptenary
1.0

The number after six and before eight

also denotes a group or set with that count not only the numeral
septuplet
vsseptenary
1 7.7

A group of seven similar people or things, for example seven babies born together

is the general number or group not focused on births or similarity
septet
vsseptenary
1 7.2

A group of seven people, often musicians or a piece for seven players

is used for any group of seven not limited to music
heptad
vsseptenary
9.5

A group of seven things or the number seven

is the same meaning but uses a different word form
septette
vsseptenary
8.8

A group of seven people or things seen as one unit, often musicians

is the general group term not only used for musical units

Surface Forms

septenary singular
septenaries plural

Morphology

septenary = seven (semi-transparent) = septen + ary

Meaning 'relating to seven' is directly derived from the numeral, but the classical combining form ('septen-') differs in form from modern 'seven', so the relation may not be obvious to many learners.

Etymology

The word septenary comes from the old Latin word septem, which means 'seven'. So septenary refers to the number seven or a group of seven, like the idea behind September, which was originally the seventh month.