Quatuor
/kwəˈtɔːr/noun
A musical composition or ensemble for four performers, especially in historical usage.
Did you know?Quatuor is a Latinized form associated with the idea of four, a number traditionally linked with the four elements, four directions, and cosmic order.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kʷetwóres
“four”
Proto-Italic
Proto-Italic
*kwetwor
“four”
Classical Latin
Latin
quattuor
“four”
Medieval Latin
Latin
quatuor
“four; a group of four in later technical usage”
18th Century
French/Italian
quatuor
“a quartet or musical work for four performers”
Modern English
English
quatuor
“a quartet, especially a composition or ensemble for four performers”