Twelfth Night

American  

noun

1. the evening before Twelfth Day, formerly observed with various festivities.

2. the evening of Twelfth Day itself.

3. (italics) a comedy (1602) by Shakespeare.

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Twelfth Night British  

noun

1. 1. the evening of Jan 5, the eve of Twelfth Day, formerly observed with various festal celebrations

   2. the evening of Twelfth Day itself

   3. ( as modifier )

      Twelfth-Night customs

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Twelfth Night Cultural  

1. A comedy by William Shakespeare. The two central characters are a twin brother and sister; each thinks that the other has been lost at sea. The sister disguises herself as a boy and goes to serve the duke of the country, a bitter man disappointed in love. The brother reappears and marries the woman whom the duke has been pursuing, and his sister marries the duke. Twelfth Night begins with the line “If music be the food of love, play on.”

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Etymology

Origin of Twelfth Night

before 900; Middle English; Old English

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Twelfth Night

He performed the role of Eliza Doolittle from Shaw's play Pygmalion, and the part of Cesario in Twelfth Night - not realising the part was female character Viola disguised in male clothing.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2024

As well as having a stint as a rugby league player, Fairhurst spent time managing rock bands on tour - which inspired him to set this production of Twelfth Night in music festival season.

From BBC ● Jun. 7, 2024

Following a widely-held tradition, the tree is usually taken down by the Twelfth Night.

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2024

The importance of musically serenading your true love has driven plotlines from Twelfth Night to The Trumpet of the Swan to Happy Feet.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2023

At the outer reaches of the desk, various photographs: the cast of Twelfth Night on the college lawn, himself as Malvolio, cross-gartered.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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