12th: meaning, definitions and examples
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12th
[ twelfth ]
ordinal number
The term '12th' refers to the ordinal number following 11 and preceding 13. It is commonly used to denote a position in a sequence or list, particularly in grades, rankings, or dates.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She finished in 12th place in the race.
- He will start 12th in the qualifiers.
- Their anniversary is on the 12th of June.
numeric label
As a noun, '12th' can refer to the twelfth part of something. For example, it may describe a fraction such as one-twelfth or mark a specific section in a series.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He divided the pizza into 12 equal parts; each slice is a 12th.
- She received her 12th award last night.
- This is the 12th chapter of the book.
Etymology
The word 'twelfth' originates from Old English 'twelfta,' which is derived from 'twelve,' meaning 'two left' from ten in Proto-Germanic. The use of 'twelfth' can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period and has seen stable usage throughout Middle English and into Modern English. The development of ordinal numbers largely stemmed from the necessity of hierarchy in linguistic terms to express sequence or order, particularly in social, mathematical, or chronological contexts. Ordinal numbers like 'twelfth' are part of a broader category that includes first through twentieth and beyond, as language evolved to signify not just quantity but also position.