δέκατος
Lemma: δέκατος
Translation: tenth (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek δέκατος (dékatos), derived from δέκα (déka) meaning 'ten'. This follows the pattern of ordinal numbers in Greek. The English cognate is 'decimal', which comes from Latin 'decimus', also meaning 'tenth', and ultimately from the same Proto-Indo-European root *déḱm̥ ('ten').
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'decimal' (base 10) to remember δέκατος means 'tenth'
- The 'deka-' in 'dekathlon' (ten events) sounds like δέκα (ten), and δέκατος is the tenth
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Used like other ordinal numbers in Greek. In Orthodox Christianity, 'το δέκατο' (the tenth) can refer to the practice of tithing, giving a tenth of one's income to the church.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While δέκατος is the ordinal number 'tenth' (adjective), δεκάτη is a noun meaning 'tithe' or 'one-tenth' as a tax or offering.
Confused word:
Έδωσε τη δεκάτη των εσόδων του στην εκκλησία.
He gave a tenth of his income to the church.
Notes: The concept of δεκάτη (tithe) has historical significance in religious contexts.
Mnemonic: δέκατος ends in -ος like most masculine adjectives, while δεκάτη ends in -η like many feminine nouns.