dodecagon

American  

[doh-dek-uh-gon, -guhn] / doʊˈdɛk əˌgɒn, -gən /

noun

Geometry.

1. a polygon having 12 angles and 12 sides.

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dodecagon British  

/ dəʊˈdɛkəˌɡɒn, ˌdəʊdɛˈkæɡənəl /

noun

1. a polygon having twelve sides

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• dodecagonal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of dodecagon

First recorded in 1650–60; dodeca- + -gon

Explanation

A dodecagon is polygon that has twelve sides, just like an octagon has eight sides. The -gon part of dodecagon should clue you in that this is a geometric figure. That leaves the dodeca- part, which means 12. A dodecagon is a polygon, just like a pentagon (five sides) and a hectogon (100 sides). The Greek roots make 12 by combining do (2) and deca (10). This combination of roots can also be found in dodecaphonism (musical composition using the 12-tone technique) and dodecastyle (having 12 columns on a side, which describes certain antique architecture).