Twelfth Night

noun

1. the evening before Twelfth Day, formerly observed with various festivities.
2. the evening of Twelfth Day itself.
3. (italics) a comedy (1602) by Shakespeare.

Twelfth Night

noun

1. 1. the evening of Jan 5, the eve of Twelfth Day, formerly observed with various festal celebrations
   2. the evening of Twelfth Day itself
   3. ( as modifier )

      Twelfth-Night customs

Twelfth Night

1. A comedy by William Shakespeare . The two central characters are a twin brother and sister; each thinks that the other has been lost at sea. The sister disguises herself as a boy and goes to serve the duke of the country, a bitter man disappointed in love. The brother reappears and marries the woman whom the duke has been pursuing, and his sister marries the duke. Twelfth Night begins with the line “ If music be the food of love, play on .”

Word History and Origins

Origin of Twelfth Night¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English

Example Sentences

He performed the role of Eliza Doolittle from Shaw's play Pygmalion, and the part of Cesario in Twelfth Night - not realising the part was female character Viola disguised in male clothing.

From BBC

She joined the Oxford Playhouse School of Theatre, debuting at 17 as Viola in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.”

From Los Angeles Times

Now he's ticking that off the list, playing pompous servant Malvolio in Twelfth Night at the Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, just outside Liverpool.

From BBC

Twelfth Night director Jimmy Fairhurst had his own lightbulb moment with Shakespeare when he was at school in Warrington.

From BBC

As well as having a stint as a rugby league player, Fairhurst spent time managing rock bands on tour - which inspired him to set this production of Twelfth Night in music festival season.

From BBC