fortieth

Everyday

1. Coming as number 40 in a row or order. tree →
2. (maths) One of forty equal parts of something, written 1/40. tree →

In the lessons

In maths it is the ordinal of 40 and a fraction: one fortieth = 1/40 = 0.025. In family life it is used for birthdays and anniversaries: «Mum's fortieth». Phrases: fortieth birthday, fortieth anniversary, one fortieth.

Examples

• We had a surprise party for Mum's fortieth birthday. tree →
• He finished fortieth in the cross-country race. tree →
• One fortieth of 80 is 2. tree →
• Our town is having its fortieth summer fair. tree →
• The fortieth day after Easter is when Christians remember Jesus going up to heaven. tree →
• Four fortieths equal one tenth. tree →

Note

Short form: 40th. Spelling trap: forty and fortieth have NO u (not «fourty»). Three syllables: FOR-tee-eth. As a fraction 1/40: divide by 40.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Forty is a number of testing and change in the Torah, as in the forty years in the wilderness. In the primary lessons: In maths it is the ordinal of 40 and a fraction: one fortieth = 1/40 = 0.025. In family life it is used for birthdays and anniversaries: «Mum's fortieth». Phrases: fortieth birthday, fortieth anniversary, one fortieth.

Examples

• And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. (Writings 2CH.16.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• In the fortieth year of the reign of David they were sought for, and there were found among them mighty men of valour at Jazer of Gilead. (Writings 1CH.26.31, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Short form: 40th. Spelling trap: forty and fortieth have NO u (not «fourty»). Three syllables: FOR-tee-eth. As a fraction 1/40: divide by 40.