释义 |
twelve I. \ˈtwelv, -eu̇v, chiefly South -e(ə)v\ adjective Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve, adjective & pron., from Old English twelf; akin to Old High German zwelif twelve, Old Norse tolf, Gothic twalif; all from a prehistoric Germanic compound whose first constituent is represented by Old English twēgen, twā, tū two, and whose second constituent is probably akin to Lithuanian -lika (as in dvylika twelve, vënůlika eleven) — more at two, eleven : being one more than 11 in number < twelve years > — see number table II. pronoun, plural in construction Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve : 12 countable persons or things not specified but under consideration and being enumerated < twelve are here > < twelve were found > III. noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve, from twelf, twelve, adjective & pron. 1. : 10 and two : twice six : six times two : three times four 2. a. : 12 units or objects < a total of twelve > b. : a group or set of 12 < arranged by twelves > 3. : the numerable quantity symbolized by the arabic numerals 12 4. : 12 o'clock — compare bell table, time illustration 5. : the 12th in a set or series; especially : an article of clothing of the 12th size < wears twelves > 6. twelves plural : twelvemo |