a. and sb. [f. QUADRI- + LITERAL.]
A. adj. Consisting of four letters; spec. of Semitic roots that have four consonants instead of the usual three (see triliteral).
1771. W. Jones, Zool. Eth., 102. It must be deemed a quadriliteral word, and as such compounded of a double radix.
1793. T. Beddoes, Math. Evid., 133. They assume triliteral and quadriliteral as well as biliteral roots.
1837. G. Phillips, Syriac Gram., 96. Quadriliteral verbs.
1869. B. Davies, trans. Gesenius’ Heb. Gram., 86. Such lengthened forms … are not regarded as quadriliteral.
B. sb. A word of four letters: a (Semitic) root containing four consonants.
1787. Sir W. Jones, Disc. Arabs, Wks. 1799, I. 40. If we suppose ten thousand of them [Arabic roots] (without reckoning quadriliterals) to exist [etc.].
1839. Pauli, Analecta Hebraica, xxviii. 205. The so-called Quadri- and Quinti-literals are compounds [etc.].
1864. Pusey, Lect. Daniel, 566. On the principle of reducing the words to quadriliterals.
1874. Sayce, Compar. Philol. ii. 75. Quadriliterals … for the most part have extended a vowel into a liquid.
