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Twelfth: meaning, definitions and examples

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twelfth

 

[twɛlfθ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

ordinal number

Twelfth denotes the position in a sequence that comes after the eleventh and before the thirteenth. It is used to describe the order of something in a list, sequence, or rank.

Synonyms

12th, dozen, twelfth part.

Examples of usage

  • He finished in twelfth place in the race.
  • This is the twelfth chapter of the book.
  • They celebrated their twelfth anniversary.
  • The twelfth month of the year is December.
Context #2 | Noun

fraction

In mathematics, a twelfth can also refer to one part of something that is divided into twelve equal parts. For example, one twelfth of a pizza means one slice out of twelve equal slices.

Synonyms

12th of, fractional part, one-twelfth.

Examples of usage

  • She ate one twelfth of the cake.
  • Divide the pie into twelfths for equal pieces.
  • He measured out a twelfth of a gallon.
  • One twelfth of an hour is five minutes.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'twelfth' comes from the Old English 'twelfta', which means 'the next after eleven'.
  • In many languages, the word for twelve is related to the word for 'two', showing its importance in counting.
  • The '-th' ending signifies its position in a sequence, common in English for ordinal numbers.

Mathematics

  • In fractions, the twelfth represents one part of a whole that has been divided into twelve equal sections.
  • Twelve is the base of the duodecimal (base-12) numeral system, which was historically used in various cultures for its divisibility.
  • In geometry, a circle can be divided into twelve equal parts, which leads to each part being a thirty-degree angle.

Cultural Significance

  • The concept of 'twelfths' appears in music, where the twelfth can refer to the interval between two notes.
  • Twelfth Night is a notable holiday that marks the end of the Christmas season, celebrated with feasts and merriment.
  • In many cultures, the twelfth of a month often aligns with significant cultural events, such as celebrations or festivals.

Psychology

  • Counting in tens and twelves is believed to be easier for the brain due to patterns in human cognition.
  • Studies show that working with fractions, like twelfths, can enhance children's understanding of ratios and part-whole relationships.
  • Developing a sense of number order from one to twelve is crucial for early mathematical skills.

Language and Literature

  • In literature, ordinal numbers like twelfth often indicate rank or sequence in storytelling, guiding readers through events.
  • Famous works like 'Twelfth Night' explore themes of love and identity, using the number as an integral part of the narrative.
  • Linguists study how languages express order through words like 'twelfth', revealing cultural perspectives on sequence and hierarchy.

Translations

Translations of the word "twelfth" in other languages:

🇵🇹 décimo segundo

🇮🇳 बारहवां

🇩🇪 zwölfte

🇮🇩 kedua belas

🇺🇦 дванадцятий

🇵🇱 dwunasty

🇯🇵 第十二

🇫🇷 douzième

🇪🇸 duodécimo

🇹🇷 on ikinci

🇰🇷 열두 번째

🇸🇦 الثاني عشر

🇨🇿 dvanáctý

🇸🇰 dvanásty

🇨🇳 第十二

🇸🇮 dvanajsti

🇮🇸 tólfti

🇰🇿 он екінші

🇬🇪 მეთორმეტე

🇦🇿 on ikinci

🇲🇽 duodécimo

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,427 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.