Pronunciation: [tˈɛnθ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "tenth" can be confusing due to the silent "h" at the end. However, the IPA phonetic transcription reveals that the "th" sound is actually pronounced as a voiceless dental fricative /θ/. This means that the correct pronunciation of "tenth" is /tɛnθ/. The "h" is only included in the spelling to indicate the origin of the word, which comes from the Old English "tēoða".
The word "tenth" is primarily an adjective and noun, derived from the cardinal number "ten." As an adjective, it refers to something or someone that occupies the position number ten in a series, sequence, or order. For example, if there are ten people in a line, the person occupying the last spot would be the "tenth" person.
As a noun, "tenth" can have several meanings. It denotes the fraction equal to one part out of ten parts, representing a proportion or share of a whole divided into ten equal parts. For instance, if there are ten apples, one apple would represent "one-tenth" of the total amount. In the context of time, "tenth" refers to the unit that comes after the ninth unit in a sequence, making it the tenth part of the whole. This can apply to years, months, days, or even seconds.
In a historical and religious context, "tenth" can also signify a specific tithe, which is a tenth part or percentage of one's income or produce that is usually offered as a contribution to support a religious institution or charity.
Overall, the term "tenth" serves to describe or identify something or someone relating to the number ten, whether symbolizing position, fraction, unit of time, or a specific proportion of income or produce.
• The ordinal of ten.
• A tenth part; a tithe.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "tenth" originated from the Old English word "teoða" which was derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*tehundōną". This Proto-Germanic term can be further traced back to the Proto-Indo-European word "*deḱm̥t" meaning "tenth". The word signifies the ordinal number for the quantity "ten" in a sequence.
