[f. L. quint-us fifth + (m)illion: see BILLION.] a. In Great Britain: The fifth power of a million, expressed by 1 followed by thirty ciphers. b. In U.S. (as in France): The cube of a million, or 1 followed by eighteen ciphers.
1674. Jeake, Arith. (1696), 14. Others … call … the Thirty first place Quintillion, &c.
1844. Tupper, Twins, xxii. A thousand men in all earth’s huge quintillion.
1862. Sir H. Holland, Ess., Life & Organization, 66. A quintillion of living beings.
Hence Quintillionth a.
a. 1845. Hood, To Hahnemann, v. Would a quintillionth dose of the New Drop Restore him?
