quint
C2formal, literary, technical
Definition
Meaning
A set or sequence of five.
1. A group or collection of five persons or things. 2. In music, a fifth note or interval (abbreviation). 3. A basketball team of five players (archaic/informal).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a countable noun. Has a formal, sometimes technical or historical feel. When referring to people, implies a coherent group rather than just five individuals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is equally rare in both varieties. 'Quint' as a term for a basketball team is slightly more likely in historical American sports contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties: Learned, precise, occasionally poetic.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both. More likely encountered in literary or historical texts than in speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
a/the + quint + of + (five) + plural nounVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common use.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or musicological contexts to refer to a group of five works or figures (e.g., 'the quint of early Romantics').
Everyday
Almost never used. 'Group of five' or just 'five' is standard.
Technical
In music, an abbreviation for 'quintet' or 'fifth'. In historical analysis, can denote a specific group of five.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The quint arrangement was standard for Renaissance consorts.
American English
- The quint formation is less common in modern basketball.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The team has five players.
- The band started as a quartet but later became a quint.
- The poet discusses a quint of virtues essential for leadership.
- The exhibition focuses on the quint of artists who defined the Blaue Reiter movement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'quintuplet' (one of five babies) – a 'quint' is the whole set of five.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERFECTION/COMPLETENESS IS FIVE (derived from classical and Renaissance ideas of the five elements, senses, etc.).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian 'клинт' (clint). 'Quint' has no relation to 'квант' (quant). It translates as 'пятёрка', but only in the sense of a group.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for any group of five items casually (overly formal).
- Spelling as 'quinte' or 'kwint'.
- Confusing it with 'quintessence' (though related etymologically).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'quint' most appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is rare and formal. 'Group of five' or 'five' are far more common.
'Quintet' is the standard term for a group of five musicians or a composition for five. 'Quint' is broader (any group of five) and more literary/technical.
Yes, but it's highly specialised (e.g., 'a quint formation'). 'Five-member' or 'five-part' are usual.
No, there is no standard verb 'to quint'.