Is there a word for a four year period of time?

November 20, 2013 6:22 PM

I find that I measure time in spans of four years. Is there a good noun that can be used to a four year period of time or four objects in a group? (Wikipedia suggests a tetramer, but I find that answer unsatisfying & am hoping for a better one.)
posted by Going To Maine to Writing & Language (14 answers total)

Quadrennium.
posted by RogerB at 6:30 PM on November 20, 2013 [8 favorites]

I've used "A Presidential Administration" as a unit of time equal to four years. I am also a Poli Sci major so there's that.
posted by Tomorrowful at 6:33 PM on November 20, 2013

Four objects in a group? A foursome.
posted by 26.2 at 6:33 PM on November 20, 2013

olympiad
posted by bruce at 6:42 PM on November 20, 2013 [6 favorites]

I am not sure in what context you are looking to use this term, so this suggestion may be off of what you are seeking, but my friends and I use athletes as substitutes for their numbers. I would refer to a four year period as an Orr (Bobby) or a a Gehrig.

I have also heard a player who wore number four referred to as a double deuce. Double deuce years sounds good in the right context.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 6:44 PM on November 20, 2013

What RogerB said as far as time. I know for a fact the Defense Department has quadrennial defense reviews very four years.
posted by Fukiyama at 6:47 PM on November 20, 2013

Response by poster: Regarding usage, I'm thinking of

a) "I haven't seen you for ." (vs. "I haven't seen you for a fortnight.")

b) "I haven't seen you for five years." (vs. "I haven't seen you for a score of years.")
posted by Going To Maine at 7:12 PM on November 20, 2013

Seconding RogerB: Quadrennium
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 7:22 PM on November 20, 2013

Four objects in a group = quartet
posted by acidic at 7:28 PM on November 20, 2013

A leap period?

A leap-length?
posted by Reverend John at 7:56 PM on November 20, 2013

An olympiad is a period of four years, but has a specific start and end date. This usage has dropped off pretty dramatically which is a shame as it has such a nice mouth feel.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 9:17 PM on November 20, 2013

I would refer to a four year period as an Orr (Bobby) or a a Gehrig.

Johnny Gunn is on the right track, but a four year period is a Favre.
posted by carmicha at 9:21 PM on November 20, 2013

I like "I haven't seen you in quadrennia!"
posted by en forme de poire at 10:58 PM on November 20, 2013

You can pick a sporting event that matches your 4 year period:
2010 - Winter Olympics/World Cup (men's soccer)
2011 - World Cup (women's soccer)/Rugby World Cup
2012 - Summer Olympics/European Championship (men's soccer)
2013 - European Championship (women's soccer)
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 12:58 PM on November 21, 2013