quintile

[ kwin-til, -tahyl ]

noun

1. Statistics. a quantile for the special case of five equal proportions.
2. Astrology. a quintile aspect.

adjective

1. Astrology. of or relating to the aspect of two heavenly bodies that are one fifth of the zodiac, or 72°, apart.

quintile

/ ˈkwɪntaɪl /

noun

1. an aspect of 72° between two heavenly bodies
2. a fifth part of a distribution

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintile¹

1600–10; < Latin quīnt ( us ) fifth + -ile (as in quartile )

Word History and Origins

Origin of quintile¹

C17: from Latin quintus fifth

Example Sentences

The amounts are relatively small, according to Penn Wharton — an average of $15 for the bottom quintile, $90 for the second quintile, $180 for the middle quintile and $360 for the fourth quintile.

From Washington Post

One new study has found that employment for people in the bottom quintile of the wage distribution has fallen by 30 percent — compared with just “a 5 percent drop among those in the top quintile.”

From Freakonomics

During the same period, 34 percent in the highest quintile in 2001 moved to a lower quintile by 2007.

From The Daily Beast

Quintile, kwin′til, n. the aspect of planets distant from each other the fifth part of the zodiac, or 72.

From Project Gutenberg

The tendency is clear for those in a given high school quintile to be found in or near the same quintile in their university work.

From Project Gutenberg

The figures show only those who were in precisely the same quintile all the way through.

From Project Gutenberg