twelve Hear it!

twelve definition

twelve (twelv)

adjective

totaling two more than ten

Etymology: ME twelfe < OE twelf, akin to Ger zwölf, Goth twalif < PGmc *twa-lif < IE bases *dwōu (> two) & *likw- < base *leikw-, to leave behind > loan: orig. sense, two left (beyond ten): cf. eleven

noun

  1. the cardinal number between eleven and thirteen; 12; XII
  2. any group of twelve persons or things; dozen
  3. something numbered twelve or having twelve units, as a throw of dice, etc.
twelve Idioms

the Twelve

the Twelve Apostles

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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