duodecimal

American  

[doo-uh-des-uh-muhl, dyoo-] / ˌdu əˈdɛs ə məl, ˌdyu- /

adjective

1. pertaining to twelfths or to the number 12.

2. proceeding by twelves.

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noun

1. one of a system of numbers based on the number 12.

2. one of 12 equal parts.

duodecimal British  

/ ˌdjuːəʊˈdɛsɪməl /

adjective

1. relating to twelve or twelfths

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noun

1. a twelfth

2. one of the numbers used in a duodecimal number system

duodecimal Scientific  

/ do̅o̅′ə-dĕs′ə-məl /

1. Relating to or based on the number 12; having 12 as the base. In the duodecimal number system, each digit represents a multiple of a power of 12 instead of 10. Thus the duodecimal number 24 represents (2 × 12 ¹) + (4 × 12 ⁰), or 28.

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Other Word Forms

• duodecimality noun
• duodecimally adverb

Etymology

Origin of duodecimal

1705–15; < Latin duodecim twelve + -al ¹

Example Sentences

The jazz composer Bob Dorough wrote the banger-filled first season, “Multiplication Rock,” surveying a range of styles from the duodecimal prog-rock of “Little Twelvetoes” to the spiraling lullaby of “Figure Eight.”

From New York Times • Jan. 31, 2023

Eventually, ancient Egyptian astronomers who used the duodecimal counting system, based on 12, divided the day and night into 12 hours each, giving us 24 hours in the day.

From Seattle Times • Apr. 25, 2022

He spent the rest of the war in prison, betrayed by his ignorance of the duodecimal currency.

From New York Times • Aug. 1, 2012

Two possible number systems that have, for purely theoretical reasons, attracted much attention, are the octonary and the duodecimal systems.

From The Number Concept Its Origin and Development by Conant, Levi Leonard

The numerical system of the Babylonians was sexagesimal and duodecimal, not decimal, and the year consisted of twelve months, not of ten.

From The Religions of Ancient Egypt and Babylonia by Sayce, A. H. (Archibald Henry)