έκτος
Lemma: έκτος
Translation: sixth (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek ἕκτος (hektos), derived from ἕξ (hex) meaning 'six'. The word is cognate with Latin sextus (sixth), which gives English 'sixth' and related words like 'sextant' and 'sextet'. The Greek root ἕξ is also related to English 'six' through Proto-Indo-European *swéḱs. This ordinal number follows the typical Greek pattern of ordinals ending in -τος.
Mnemonics
- Think 'hex' (six-sided) to remember this relates to six
- The 'kt' sound in έκτος echoes the 'xt' in 'sixth'
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used in all contexts where ordinal numbers are needed - dates, rankings, sequences, floors of buildings, etc. In Greek addresses, the sixth floor would be 'έκτος όροφος'.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: έκτος (with accent on first syllable) means 'sixth', while εκτός (with accent on second syllable) means 'except, outside, unless'
Confused word:
Όλοι ήρθαν εκτός από τον Γιάννη.
Everyone came except John.
Notes: The accent placement completely changes the meaning and pronunciation of these otherwise identical words
Mnemonic: έκτος (sixth) has the accent on the É like 'É-six', while εκτός (except) has the accent on the Ó like 'ex-cept-Ó'