quincunx

noun

quin·cunx ˈkwin-ˌkəŋ(k)s

: an arrangement of five things in a square or rectangle with one at each corner and one in the middle

quincuncial

kwin-ˈkən(t)-shəl

adjective

or quincunxial

kwin-ˈkəŋk-sē-əl

Did you know?

Give Me Five for Quincunx

In ancient Rome, a quincunx was a coin with a weight equal to five twelfths of a libra, a unit of weight similar to our pound. The coin's name comes from the Latin roots quinque, meaning "five," and uncia, meaning "one twelfth." The ancients used a pattern of five dots arranged like the pips on a die as a symbol for the coin, and English speakers applied the word to arrangements similar to that distinctive five-dot mark.

Examples of quincunx in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The Moon in Capricorn jumps into an opposition to Venus in Cancer, and then the Sun, also in Cancer, will make an uncomfortable quincunx to Pluto in Aquarius at 8:01 am EDT. —

Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2024 There is a complicated energy overhead as Venus in your intuitive sign locks into an uncomfortable quincunx with Pluto in your 8th House of Shared Resources. —

Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 18 June 2024 The Moon in Leo will make an awkward quincunx to Venus first thing, encouraging us to speak honestly. —

Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 20 Mar. 2024 The Moon will then drift into a quincunx with Saturn, encouraging us to speak with care and be honest about our intentions. —

Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for quincunx

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quincunx.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.