Eleventh Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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eleventh

[ษชหˆlษ›vษ™nฮธ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

ordinal number

The term 'eleventh' refers to the position that comes after the tenth in a sequence. It is commonly used in enumerating or ranking items or individuals. It can apply to various contexts, such as events, years, or physical arrangements.

Synonyms

11th.

Examples of usage

  • She finished in eleventh place in the race.
  • This is the eleventh chapter of the book.
  • The eleventh hour is often used to refer to the last moment before a deadline.
  • We celebrated our eleventh anniversary last month.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Cultural Significance

  • In some cultures, the number eleven is considered lucky or special and is often associated with intuition or enlightenment.
  • In Tarot, the eleventh card is Strength, representing courage, patience, and confidence.
  • The eleventh hour is a phrase that signifies something done at the last moment, often implying urgency.

Mathematics

  • Eleven is the smallest two-digit prime number and the fifth Mersenne prime.
  • In binary, it is represented as '1011', showcasing its unique structure in numeral systems.
  • A common method for checking if a number is divisible by eleven involves subtracting the sum of its digits in odd positions from the sum of its digits in even positions.

Literature

  • In literature, the eleventh chapter of many books often serves as a pivotal point in the story.
  • The phrase 'eleven plus two' is an anagram for 'twelve plus one', cleverly reflecting the beauty of language through numbers.
  • Ray Bradburyโ€™s 'The Illustrated Man' has an iconic story titled 'The Eleventh Month,' emphasizing the significance of remembrance.

Science

  • In chemistry, the element with the atomic number eleven is sodium, essential for life and commonly found in table salt.
  • The discovery of the eleventh planet in the solar system has been a topic of scientific debate and speculation among astronomers.
  • In music, the eleventh interval, which can create a rich sound, is often used in jazz compositions.

Origin of 'eleventh'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from Old English 'endleofan', meaning the 'one left over' after ten.
  • Historically, many ancient cultures had distinctive words for numbers, but 'eleventh' evolved uniquely to denote its position in counting.
  • It reflects a combination of 'eleven' with the suffix '-th', used to indicate order among numbers.

The word 'eleventh' derives from the Old English term 'endleofan', which means 'one left over' from the grouping of ten. This term is a combination of 'a' meaning 'one' and 'leofan' that is tied to the root for 'ten' (ten being 'tฤซen' in Old English). Over the centuries, the influence of French and Latin led to the current form, 'eleventh', used to designate the ordinal position of eleven in modern English. The transformation reflects the shift in language and numeration systems as they evolved through cultural exchanges. The ordinal 'eleventh' is essential for clarity in numerous contexts, notably in education, sports, and organization, where positions or levels are often ranked, creating a clear hierarchy.


Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,644 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.