fortnight

English
WOTD – 6 February 2009

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English fourtenight, fourten night, from Old English fēowertȳne niht (“fourteen nights”), equivalent to fourteen +‎ night. Compare sennight.

Pronunciation
  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈfɔːt.naɪt/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈfɔɹt.naɪt/
  • (NYC) IPA(key): [ˈfɔəʔ.nɐjʔ]
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Audio (AU)(file)
  • Audio (AUS)(file)

Noun

fortnight (plural fortnights)

  1. (chiefly Britain, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) A period of 2 weeks.

Adverb

fortnight (not comparable)

  1. (Should we delete(+) this sense?) After a fortnight has passed.
    1852 Charles Dickens, Bleak House: We will proceed with the hearing on Wednesday fortnight.

Translations

See also

References
  • “fortnight” in Merriam–Webster Online Dictionary.
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