vigesimal

[vahy-jes-uh-muhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or based on twenty.

2. twentieth.

3. proceeding by twenties.

vigesimal

/ vaɪˈdʒɛsɪməl /

adjective

1. relating to or based on the number 20

2. taking place or proceeding in intervals of 20

3. twentieth

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigesimal¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin vīgēsim(us), variant (with g of vīgintī “twenty”) of vīcēsimus, vīcēnsimus “twentieth” + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vigesimal¹

C17: from Latin vīgēsimus, variant (influenced by vīgintī twenty) of vīcēsimus twentieth

Example Sentences

This may mean that the people who lived in what is now France used a base-20 or vigesimal number system.

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As the latter is due to finger-reckoning, so the use of the fingers and the toes produced a vigesimal scale.

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This long cycle was an application of the vigesimal system to their reckoning of time.

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I am inclined to think with Dr. Förstemann that it was rather in consequence of the use of the vigesimal system in representing numbers.

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A pure quinary or vigesimal number system is exceedingly rare; but quinary scales certainly do exist in which, as far as we possess the numerals, no trace of any other influence appears.

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