Word Study
Quincunx
CIDE DICTIONARY
Quincunx, n. [L., fr. quinque five + uncia an ounce. The quincunx was marked by five small spots or balls. See Five, and Ounce the weight.].
- An arrangement of things by fives in a square or a rectangle, one being placed at each corner and one in the middle; especially, such an arrangement of trees repeated indefinitely, so as to form a regular group with rows running in various directions. [1913 Webster]
- The position of planets when distant from each other five signs, or 150
Hutton. [1913 Webster] - A quincuncial arrangement, as of the parts of a flower in æstivation. See Quincuncial, 2. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
Quincunx, n.
1 five objects set so that four are at the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth is at its centre, e.g. the five on dice or cards.
2 this arrangement, esp. in planting trees.
1 five objects set so that four are at the corners of a square or rectangle and the fifth is at its centre, e.g. the five on dice or cards.
2 this arrangement, esp. in planting trees.
Derivative
quincuncial adj. quincuncially adv.
Etymology
L, = five-twelfths f. quinque five, uncia twelfth
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