quinquefarious

[prettygoodword]

quinquefarious (kwin-kwi-FAER-ree-uhs) - (rare) adj., arranged in five rows, lines, or groups.


Some dictionaries specify in five vertical rows, but the word is most used in botanical settings where it's clear from context it describes a more general penta-partate thing. Some dictionaries also specify that this isn't just (rare) but (obs.), which I have no trouble believing. Some dictionaries specify this is merely a synonym for pentastichous, but as far as I can tell that's even more (rare) if not (obs.) than quinquefarious. Coined from Latin quīnque, five + ferō, carry/bear.

So, yay another word with two Qs, even if it's not as good as quaquaversal.

---L.

Comments

[thistleingrey]

Ah, makes sense! I've seen "quinquefoil" a few times for that botanical context.

[prettygoodword]

That showed up a few times as a suggestion of what I might have been trying to look up instead.