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Almost any English compound word that begins with "pent" means five of something (some exceptions listed below). Some examples of pent meaning five include:

  • Pentagon = five sides
  • Pentagram/Pentacle = five corners
  • Pentagon = five sides
  • Pentameter = five metrical or iambic feet
  • Pentad = five years
  • Pentadactyl = five fingers
  • Pentose = five molecules
  • Pentateuch = five Books
  • Pentium = fifth version of the 80*86 processor


Exceptions, where words beginning with pent do NOT mean five of something:

  • when combined with other Greek number roots, i. e. pentadeca- = 15 of something
  • when the root comes from Latin pentire, meaning remorse/repent, i. e. Pentecost, pentimento
  • when the root comes from French apendre, meaning add-on, i. e. penthouse
  • when the word comes from the US Pentagon, i. e. Pentagonese
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11y ago

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