Reading Theme:
Decade: Definition, Usage & Common Examples
Meaning 1：ten-year period (decade)
decade
/ˈdɛk eɪd/
n.
A period of ten years.
ten-year period
➕
/ˈtɛn jɪər ˈpɪəriəd/
n.
A span of time consisting of ten consecutive years.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'decas' (group of ten), from Greek 'dekas' (ten).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'DECade' like 'DECimal' – both relate to the number ten.
📖 Example
Over the past decade, smartphones have changed almost every aspect of our lives.
Over the past ten years, smartphones have transformed nearly every aspect of our lives.
🔗 Collocations
last decade – the ten-year period that just ended
next decade – the ten-year period about to begin
decade-long – lasting for a full ten years
🌱 Derivatives
decadal (adj.) – pertaining to or lasting a decade
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'decade' originates from Latin 'decas', meaning 'group of ten'. It entered English via French in the 15th century, commonly used for ten-year periods in history and planning.
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