Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

quadrivium

noun
qua·​driv·​i·​um | \ kwä-ˈdri-vē-əm How to pronounce quadrivium (audio) \

Definition of quadrivium

: a group of studies consisting of arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy and forming the upper division of the seven liberal arts in medieval universities — compare trivium

First Known Use of quadrivium

1804, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for quadrivium

Late Latin, from Latin, crossroads, from quadri- + via way — more at way

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about quadrivium

Statistics for quadrivium

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for quadrivium

The first known use of quadrivium was in 1804

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on quadrivium

Nglish: Translation of quadrivium for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quadrivium

Comments on quadrivium

What made you want to look up quadrivium? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

resurrection

Listen to the pronounciation of resurrection

an act or instance of returning to life

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games