quaternity

[ kwuh-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural qua·ter·ni·ties.

1. a group or set of four.

quaternity

/ kwəˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. a group of four, esp a concept of God as consisting of four persons

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaternity¹

1520–30; < Late Latin quaternitās, equivalent to Latin quatern ( ī ) four each, four at a time + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaternity¹

C16: from Late Latin quaternitās, from Latin quaternī by fours; see quaternary

Example Sentences

“So we learn in the neatly chiseled opening sentences of Mary Gordon’s new novel. Add in death and we would have a ferocious quaternity to frame the action.”

From New York Times

With our love to the entire quaternity of you, Yours ever,

From Project Gutenberg