cinquantaine

about fifty

noun sahn-kahn-TEN Rare

Origin: Derived from 'cinquante' (fifty) with the collective suffix '-aine'.

Also means

one's fifties (age)

Usage Note

Cinquantaine follows the pattern of French collective numerals: une cinquantaine de personnes means 'about fifty people', expressing approximation. When referring to a person's age, la cinquantaine means 'one's fifties' — elle a la cinquantaine means she is in her fifties. The related adjective cinquantenaire describes a fiftieth anniversary or a fifty-year-old institution.

Examples

"Une cinquantaine de personnes attendaient dehors."

Natural Translation

About fifty people were waiting outside.

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