Quaternion
/kwəˈtɜːr.ni.ən/noun
A set or group of four things; in mathematics, a number system extending complex numbers.
Did you know?Quaternion comes from Latin quaternio, a grouping of four, from quater meaning “four times,” the same ancient root behind words like quarter and quartet.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷetwóres
“four”
Latin
Latin
quattuor
“four”
Classical Latin
Latin
quaternio
“a set or group of four”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
quaternio
“a bundle, quire, or group of four pages or items”
16th Century
English
quaternion
“a group or set of four things”
19th Century
English
quaternion
“Hamilton’s number system of four components”