quadruplet

American  

[kwo-druhp-lit, -droo-plit, kwod-roo-plit] / kwɒˈdrʌp lɪt, -ˈdru plɪt, ˈkwɒd rʊ plɪt /

noun

1. any group or combination of four.

2. quadruplets, four children or offspring born of one pregnancy.

3. one of four such children or offspring.

4. Music. a group of four notes of equal value performed in the time normally taken for three.

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quadruplet British  

/ kwɒˈdruːplɪt, ˈkwɒdrʊplɪt /

noun

1. Often shortened to: quad.  one of four offspring born at one birth

2. a group or set of four similar things

3. music a group of four notes to be played in a time value of three

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Etymology

Origin of quadruplet

1780–90; quadruple + -et (modeled on triplet )

Example Sentences

A dairy cow giving birth to extremely rare quadruplet calves has been described as "unheard of" by farm staff.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2024

Not that Fay would have envisioned that as a youngster growing up as a quadruplet in Ireland.

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2022

"An example is a quadruplet pregnancy reduced to twins in order to decrease the risk of the pregnancy," Shahine explained to Salon.

From Salon • May 10, 2022

It was Nick Wade’s idea to write about being a quadruplet.

From New York Times • Apr. 6, 2017

We looked blithely at the road ahead, quadruplet angels.

From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez