late 14c., with -th (1), altering Middle English twelfte, from Old English twelfta, from twelf ((see twelve). The earlier form is cognate with Old Norse tolfti, Danish tolvte, Old Frisian twelefta, Dutch twaalfde, Old High German zwelifto, German zwölfte .
As a noun meaning "a twelfth part," from 1550s. Twelfth Night is Old English twelftan niht "Twelfth Night," the eve of Epiphany, which comes twelve days after Christmas, formerly an occasion of social rites and a time of merrymaking.
双语例句
1. The first British attempt to colonize Ireland was in the twelfth century.
英国最早尝试在爱尔兰开拓殖民地是在12世纪。
来自柯林斯例句
2. She is entitled to a twelfth of the cash.
她有权获得这笔钱的1/12。
来自柯林斯例句
3. For her twelfth birthday, she asked for a chemistry set.
她要一个化学箱作她12岁生日的礼物.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. December is the twelfth month of the year.
12月是一年中的第12个月.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. As usual there will be the local and regional elections on June the twelfth.
