quadriliteral, a. and n.
(kwɒdrɪˈlɪtərəl)
[f. quadri- + literal.]
A. adj. Consisting of four letters; spec. of Semitic roots which have four consonants instead of the usual three (see triliteral).
| 1771 W. Jones Zool. Eth. 102 It must be deemed a quadriliteral word, and as such compounded of a double radix. 1793 T. Beddoes Math. Evid. 133 They assume triliteral and quadriliteral as well as biliteral roots. 1837 Phillips Syriac Gramm. 96 Quadriliteral verbs. 1869 B. Davies tr. Gesenius' Hebrew Gram. 86 Such lengthened forms..are not regarded as quadriliteral. |
B. n. A word of four letters: a (Semitic) root containing four consonants.
| 1787 Sir W. Jones Disc. Arabs Wks. 1799 I. 40 If we suppose ten thousand of them [Arabic roots] (without reckoning quadriliterals) to exist [etc.]. 1839 Pauli Anal. Hebr. xxviii. 205 The so-called Quadri- and Quinti- literals are compounds [etc.]. 1864 Pusey Lect. Daniel 566 On the principle of reducing the words to quadriliterals. 1874 Sayce Compar. Philol. ii. 78 Quadriliterals..for the most part have extended a vowel into a liquid. |