twelfth

[ twelfth ]

adjective

1. next after the eleventh; being the ordinal number for 12.
2. being one of 12 equal parts.

noun

1. a twelfth part, especially of one (1/12).
2. the twelfth member of a series.

twelfth

/ twɛlfθ /

adjective

1. usually prenominal
   1. coming after the eleventh in number or counting order, position, time, etc; being the ordinal number of twelve: often written 12th
   2. ( as noun )

      the twelfth of the month

noun

1. 1. one of 12 equal or nearly equal parts of an object, quantity, measurement, etc
   2. ( as modifier )

      a twelfth part

2. the fraction equal to one divided by 12 ( 1 12 )
3. music
   1. an interval of one octave plus a fifth
   2. one of two notes constituting such an interval in relation to the other
   3. an organ stop sounding a note one octave and a fifth higher than that normally produced by the key depressed

Word History and Origins

Origin of twelfth¹

before 900; Middle English twelfthe, twelfte, Old English twelfta, equivalent to twelf twelve + -ta -th ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of twelfth¹

from Old English twelfta

Example Sentences

Black family wealth remains between one-ninth and one-twelfth the level of white family wealth, a shocking disparity.

From The Daily Beast

He also has a best supporting actor nomination for his mincing, lovestruck Olivia in Twelfth Night.

From The Daily Beast

There was much better drag this season—like Mark Rylance [in Twelfth Night].

From The Daily Beast

The Armory Show, located at Twelfth Avenue and 55th Street, will be on display until March 9th and is open from 12pm—7pm daily.

From The Daily Beast

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Mark Rylance's role in Twelfth Night.

From The Daily Beast

Search with a one-twelfth-inch objective, using very subdued light.

From Project Gutenberg

On the twelfth of the said month it was washed, and a grain of gold weighing scarcely one real obtained.

From Project Gutenberg

This statute was continued and altered in subsequent reigns, and not repealed until the twelfth year of Queen Anne.

From Project Gutenberg

A common custom is to "set" every tenth or twelfth hill with two plants.

From Project Gutenberg

Bigyns, Beguines; these were members of certain lay sisterhoods in the Low Countries, from the twelfth century onwards.

From Project Gutenberg