sextuplet
Noun 1. A group or set of six: Specifically refers to six items or individuals considered together as a single unit. 2. One of six offspring born from the same pregnancy: One individual from a set of six siblings (sextuplets) born at the same time to the same mother. 3. (Music) A group of six notes played in the time of four: A rhythmic figure where six notes of equal duration are performed in the time value normally occupied by four notes of the same type.
- General Group of Six:
- The composer wrote a challenging sextuplet passage for the violins.
- A sextuplet of new employees joined the department this month.
- One of Six Siblings:
- Each sextuplet has a distinct personality.
- The youngest sextuplet was the first to start walking.
- Musical Rhythm:
- Practice the sextuplet runs slowly at first to ensure even timing.
- The piece is famous for its rapid sextuplet arpeggios.
- In Demographics/Statistics: Can be used to describe any grouped set of six data points or entities.
- The survey results were analyzed in sextuplets to identify patterns.
- Formal/Technical Writing: The term is precise and preferred in academic, medical, or musical contexts over the more general "set of six."
- Sextuplets (n., plural): The more common term for the set of six siblings born together.
- The sextuplets celebrated their first birthday.
- Sextuple (adj.): Sixfold; consisting of six parts.
- The company reported sextuple the profits from the previous quarter.
- Hexad (n.): A less common synonym for a group of six.
- Six
- Hexad
- Half a dozen
- Senary (adj., technical)
The core meaning is fundamentally numerical, denoting the quantity six. The specific applications (siblings, musical notes) are specializations of this core meaning. In non-technical conversation, "one of six" or "set of six" is often used instead of "sextuplet," which carries a more formal or specific connotation.
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the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
