twelfth

twelfth
n. & adj.
—n.
1 the position in a sequence corresponding to the number 12 in the sequence 1-12.
2 something occupying this position.
3 each of twelve equal parts of a thing.
4 Mus. a an interval or chord spanning an octave and a fifth in the diatonic scale. b a note separated from another by this interval.
—adj. that is the twelfth.
Phrases and idioms:
Twelfth Day 6 Jan., the twelfth day after Christmas, the festival of the Epiphany. twelfth man a reserve member of a cricket team. Twelfth Night the evening of 5 Jan., the eve of the Epiphany. twelfth part = sense 3 of n.
Derivatives:
twelfthly adv.
Etymology: OE twelfta (as TWELVE)

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • twelfth — ► ORDINAL NUMBER 1) constituting number twelve in a sequence; 12th. 2) (a twelfth/one twelfth) each of twelve equal parts into which something is or may be divided. 3) Music an interval spanning an octave and a fifth in the diatonic scale. 4)… …   English terms dictionary

  • twelfth — /twelfth/, adj. 1. next after the eleventh; being the ordinal number for 12. 2. being one of 12 equal parts. n. 3. a twelfth part, esp. of one (1/12). 4. the twelfth member of a series. [bef. 900; ME twelfthe, twelfte, OE twelfta, equiv. to twelf …   Universalium

  • twelfth — [ twelfθ ] number 1. ) in the place or position counted as number 12: the twelfth of the month 2. ) one of 12 equal parts of something: An inch is one twelfth of a foot …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • twelfth — [twelfth] adj. [ME twelfthe < OE twelfta: see TWELVE & TH2] 1. preceded by eleven others in a series; 12th 2. designating any of the twelve equal parts of something n. 1. the one following the eleventh 2 …   English World dictionary

  • Twelfth — Twelfth, a. [For twelft, OE. twelfte, AS. twelfta. See {Twelve}.] 1. Next in order after the eleventh; coming after eleven others; the ordinal of twelve. [1913 Webster] 2. Consisting, or being one of, twelve equal parts into which anything is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Twelfth — Twelfth, n. 1. The quotient of a unit divided by twelve; one of twelve equal parts of one whole. [1913 Webster] 2. The next in order after the eleventh. [1913 Webster] 3. (Mus.) An interval comprising an octave and a fifth. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • twelfth — O.E. twelfta, cognate with O.N. tolfti, O.Fris. twelefta, O.H.G. zwelifto, Ger. zwölfte (see TWELVE (Cf. twelve)). O.E. twelftan niht Twelfth Night, the eve of Epiphany, which comes twelve days after Christmas, formerly was a time of merrymaking …   Etymology dictionary

  • twelfth — twelfth; Twelfth; …   English syllables

  • twelfth — [twelfθ] n [: Old English; Origin: twelfta, from twelf; TWELVE] one of twelve equal parts of something …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • twelfth — [[t]twe̱lfθ[/t]] ♦♦ twelfths 1) ORD The twelfth item in a series is the one that you count as number twelve. ...the twelfth anniversary of the April revolution. ...a twelfth century church. 2) FRACTION A twelfth is one of twelve equal parts of… …   English dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”