take the OED, there is a CD-ROM version if you don't like to use paper and
magnifying glases
>I still cannot be sure which
>of the following terms is best for 4-gram (n-gram with n=4):
>
> quadgram
> quadragram
> quadrugram
> ???
>
begin {OED}
Quadri- (kwO.dri)
A first element used in combs. with the sense 'having, consisting of,
connected with, etc. four (things specified)'; <lots fo information
following about historical use>
Quadro-
A less correct form of Quadri-
Quadru- (kwO.dru)
A variant of Quadri-; in Latin restricted to a few formations in which the
second element begins with a 'p', as 'quadrupes, quadruplex, quadruplus',
and their derivates. Apart from words based on these Latin forms, mod. Eng.
has quadru- only in quadrumaneous etc. (after quadruped), but a few other
example are found in the 16-17th c. <more historical info over here>
end {OED} {all typos by me}
In short, Quadrigram would be the most agreeable form. Another argument:
Bi-, Tri-,... next should be Quadri- (it's not Bu-, Tru-,...). Tetragram is
out, because Tetra- is Greek, Bi- and Tri- are Latin.
>Any comments !? Thanks !!
>
>Shin -^^-
Linguistics helps some times.
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