Definition of the word fourteen

The word "fourteen" is a compound digit, consisting of the numbers "four" and "ten". The origins of these components can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon language, where "four" was spelled "four" and its pronunciation is still being used today. This word derives from the Germanic root word "ferh", which means "four" in Old Norse. The origin of the word "ten", in contrast, is less clear. It could be linked to the Proto-Germanic root word "dek-", which means "ten", or derived from the Latin numeral "dex" meaning "ten". The Anglo-Saxons used the word "cēan" to convey the number ten, which is of uncertain etymology. However, its initial use in Early Middle English began with "tēn" as a substitution. The modern spelling of "fourteen" occurred during the Middle English period, around the 12th century. Over time, the word "four" fused together with "ten" to create this common numerical expression. The hyphenation between the words "four" and "ten" eventually disappeared, conforming to the standard spelling for compound words in English today. In summary, the word "fourteen" is composed of the Anglo-Saxon words "four" and "ten", whose origins can be traced back to Germanic and Latin roots respectively. Its current spelling and pronunciation have evolved over time, as English moved through different stages of its development.