quadrivium

[ kwo-driv-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural quad·riv·i·a [kwo-, driv, -ee-, uh].

1. (during the Middle Ages) the more advanced division of the seven liberal arts, comprising arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music.

quadrivium

/ kwɒˈdrɪvɪəm /

noun

1. (in medieval learning) the higher division of the seven liberal arts, consisting of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music Compare trivium

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadrivium¹

1795–1805; < Late Latin, special use of Latin quadrivium place where four ways meet; quadri-, via, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of quadrivium¹

from Medieval Latin, from Latin: crossroads, meeting of four ways, from quadri- + via way

Example Sentences

These subjects were the Trivium, and the more advanced Quadrivium.

From Project Gutenberg

After completing the trivium, those who wished for higher culture studied the quadrivium.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the old Romans, a trivium meant a place where three ways met, and a quadrivium where four, or what we now call a cross-road.

From Project Gutenberg

Likewise arithmetic and the rest of the quadrivium have place in the clerics education.

From Project Gutenberg

Passing to the Quadrivium, we find that Fulbert had studied its four branches under Gerbert.

From Project Gutenberg