septenary

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   consisting of seven parts, arranged in groups of seven, or relating to the number seven

   The septenary classification placed the species into seven coordinated divisions.

2. 2
   noun

   a group, set, or period of seven

   The cycle was organized as a septenary, with one stage for each of seven years.

From Middle English septenarie and Latin septenarius, 'consisting of seven each,' from septeni, 'seven each,' plus -arius. The noun came to denote a set or period of seven as well as certain seven-part verse forms.

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