septenary

American  

[sep-tuh-ner-ee] / ˈsɛp təˌnɛr i /

adjective

1. of or relating to the number seven or forming a group of seven.

2. septennial.

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noun

septenaries plural

1. a group or set of seven.

2. a period of seven years.

3. the number seven.

4. Prosody. a line of seven feet.

septenary British  

/ ˈsɛptɪnərɪ /

adjective

1. of or relating to the number seven

2. forming a group of seven

3. another word for septennial

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noun

1. the number seven

2. a group of seven things

3. a period of seven years

4. prosody a line of seven metrical feet

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• septenaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of septenary

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin septēnārius “consisting of seven, containing seven,” equivalent to septēn(ī) “seven each” (derivative of sept(em) “seven” + -ēnī distributive suffix) + -ārius adjective suffix. See seven, -ary

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

septenary septenaries

No number has ever been so universally in repute as the septenary.

From Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry by Pike, Albert

The septenary division of time into weeks of seven days, although not universal, as has been generally supposed, was sufficiently so to indicate the influence of the number.

From The Symbolism of Freemasonry by Mackey, Albert G.

The turn of a four-dimensional world is near, but the puzzle of science will ever continue until their concepts reach the natural dimensions of visible and invisible space—in its septenary completeness.

From Five Years of Theosophy by Various

In the Elizabethan age the alexandrine and the septenary were each used chiefly in conjunction with the other, in alternation of six-stress and seven-stress verses.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

This specimen shows the new measure introduced into the drama in connection with the earlier rimed septenary.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

We find, therefore, tumbling verse, alexandrines, septenaries, and intricate strophic forms, all commonly written with slight regard for syllable-counting principles.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

In this play the alexandrine is the dominant measure, though mingled with occasional septenaries still.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

Chapman's translation of Iliad is the longest modern English poem in septenaries.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

These are the literal meanings; the mystic meanings are very different, and among other things denote the septenary prismatic colours and other septenaries in nature.

From Simon Magus by Mead, George Robert Stow

The use of alexandrines and septenaries together, we have seen, was common even in the Middle English period, but not in regular alternation.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald