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Twelfth Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'twelfth'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'twelfth' originates from the Old English 'twelfta', which is a combination of 'twelve' (the cardinal number) and a suffix that denotes an ordinal position. It can be traced back to Proto-Germanic *twalif, which is also the source of similar words in other Germanic languages. The evolution of 'twelf' into 'twelfth' illustrates the typical shift in English from Old to Middle English, where the idea of ordinality was increasingly marked in a systematic way. The use of ordinal numbers became an important aspect of numbering in various contexts, including date listing and listing items sequentially.

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.