I. ˈtwelv, -eu̇v, chiefly South -e(ə)v adjective
Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve, adjective & pron., from Old English twelf; akin to Old High German zwelif twelve, Old Norse tolf, Gothic twalif; all from a prehistoric Germanic compound whose first constituent is represented by Old English twēgen, twā, tū two, and whose second constituent is probably akin to Lithuanian -lika (as in dvylika twelve, vënůlika eleven) — more at two , eleven
: being one more than 11 in number
twelve years
— see number table
II. pronoun, plural in construction
Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve
: 12 countable persons or things not specified but under consideration and being enumerated
twelve are here
twelve were found
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English twelf, twelve, from twelf, twelve, adjective & pron.
1. : 10 and two : twice six : six times two : three times four
2.
a. : 12 units or objects
a total of twelve
b. : a group or set of 12
arranged by twelves
3. : the numerable quantity symbolized by the arabic numerals 12
4. : 12 o'clock — compare bell table, time illustration
5. : the 12th in a set or series ; especially : an article of clothing of the 12th size
wears twelves
6. twelves plural : twelvemo