Re: Types of numerals

R A Brown wrote:
>John Vertical wrote:
> > is the Latin prefix sesqui- really a *root* morpheme?
>
>No, it is not a root morpheme. In fact in Latin _sesqui_ or _sesque_ could
>be a separate word, but it is nearly always prefixed as sesqui-. As the
>prefix means "more by one half". It almost certainly derives from _semis
>que_ (and a half) thus: /se:miskwe/ --> */se:mskwe/ --> /se:skwe/ or
>/se:skwi/.
OIC. Thanks.


>But it developed an interesting use when prefixed to ordinals, cf.
>sesquitertius = containing one and a third (four thirds)
>sesquioctauus = containing one and one eighth.
>etc
This is very interesting. A similarly functioning word of "one minus 1/x"
could theoretically also be devised, which would easily yield words for 2/3,
3/4, 99% etc... :)

John Vertical