fourfold

Everyday

1. Four times as much or as many. tree →
2. Having four parts or four kinds. tree →

In the lessons

In maths it means multiply by 4: «a fourfold increase» from 10 gives 40. In science and news it describes how much something has grown. Phrases: a fourfold increase, rise fourfold, fourfold symmetry.

Examples

• The number of birds in the park has risen fourfold. tree →
• A fourfold increase from 5 is 20. tree →
• The price of tickets went up fourfold. tree →
• The plan had a fourfold aim: learn, play, share and grow. tree →
• A square has fourfold symmetry; it looks the same after each quarter turn. tree →
• Sales of ice cream grew fourfold on the hot day. tree →

Note

Similar words: twofold, threefold, tenfold. In maths, «a fourfold increase» usually means the new amount is 4 times the old one (×4), not «old + 4 times». Be careful in word problems.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means four times over, as the repayment David says the rich man must give for the stolen lamb.

Interpretation. Tradition connects this to the Torah's law that a thief who slaughters or sells a stolen sheep pays back four sheep.

Examples

• and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.' (Prophets 2SA.12.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Similar words: twofold, threefold, tenfold. In maths, «a fourfold increase» usually means the new amount is 4 times the old one (×4), not «old + 4 times». Be careful in word problems.