septuagenary

English

Etymology

From Latin septuāgēnārius (“containing 70”) either directly or via French septuagénaire, from Latin septuāgēnus (“70 each”) + -ārius (“-ary”), from septuāgintā (“seven tens, 70”). Cognate with septuagenarian.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛpt͡ʃəd͡ʒɛnəri/, /ˌsɛpt͡ʃəwəˈd͡ʒɛnəri/, /ˈsɛpt͡ʃəd͡ʒəˌnɛri/, /ˈsɛpt͡ʃəwəd͡ʒəˌnɛri/, /ˌsɛpt͡ʃʊˈæd͡ʒəˌnɛri/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsɛptjʊəˈdʒiːnri/, /ˌsɛptjʊəˈdʒiːnəri/, /ˌsɛptjʊəˈdʒɛnri/, /ˌsɛptjʊəˈdʒɛnəri/, /ˌsɛptʃʊəˈdʒiːnri/, /ˌsɛptʃʊəˈdʒiːnəri/, /ˌsɛptʃʊəˈdʒɛnri/, /ˌsɛptʃʊəˈdʒɛnəri/

Adjective

septuagenary (not comparable)

1. (now rare) Of or related to the number seventy, particularly

   Coordinate terms: unary, binary, ternary, trinary, tetranary, quintenary, hexanary, septenary, octonary, nonary, decenary, vicenary, tricenary, quadragenary, quinquagenary, semicentenary, sexagenary, octogenary, nonagenary, centenary, millenary

   1. Synonym of septuagenarian: lasting or aged seventy years; seventy-year-old.

Noun

septuagenary (plural septuagenaries)

1. (now rare) Synonym of septuagenarian: a seventy-year-old.

References

• “septuagenary, adj. and n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.
• “septuagenary”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.