twelve
twelve — noun
1. the number between eleven and thirteen, written as 12. It is the number of month
the number between eleven and thirteen, written as 12. It is the number of months in a year, hours on a clock face, and items in a dozen.
There are twelve eggs in a full carton when you buy a dozen.
collocation: a dozen = twelve items, especially eggs or roses
The clock struck twelve just as Ishaan finished his homework.
Elena counted twelve people waiting at the bus stop this morning.
A year has twelve months, and each one brings a different season.
The recipe calls for twelve small tomatoes, but you can use fewer.
- dozen
used for countable items (eggs, roses); more informal and specific to sets of exactly 12
文法句型
twelve + [plural noun]
number + twelve
常見錯誤
2. a set of twelve people or things considered together as a unit.
a set of twelve people or things considered together as a unit.
The jury was made up of twelve ordinary citizens chosen to hear the case.
collocation: a jury of twelve
Minho's basketball team has twelve players on the roster this season.
The teacher split the science class into groups of twelve for the project.
A dozen roses — exactly twelve flowers — is still a very popular gift.
- dozen
more common for everyday countable items; slightly informal
文法句型
the twelve
a/the twelve + [plural noun]
group/set of twelve
用法筆記
Often used with the definite article: 'the twelve' refers to a specific group. Common in legal contexts (a jury of twelve), sports (a team of twelve), and retail (a dozen items).
3. the thing that is number twelve in a numbered series, such as a page, a size, or
the thing that is number twelve in a numbered series, such as a page, a size, or a channel.
Page twelve of the atlas shows a detailed map of the whole continent.
pattern: [noun] + twelve for numbered items (page twelve, size twelve)
Gabriel's bus stop is number twelve on the school bus route.
Kasia tried on size twelve shoes, but they were a little too tight.
Channel twelve on the old radio plays classical music all evening.
- twelfth
the ordinal form; used in slightly different grammatical patterns ('the twelfth page' vs. 'page twelve')
文法句型
[noun] + twelve
用法筆記
Common after nouns that refer to ordered items. Unlike the cardinal use, 'twelve' here names a position rather than a quantity.
常見錯誤
4. in the Christian Bible, the twelve men that Jesus chose to be his closest follow
in the Christian Bible, the twelve men that Jesus chose to be his closest followers and to spread his teachings.
According to the Gospel stories, Jesus called the Twelve to travel with him and learn from him.
capitalised: 'the Twelve' as a proper name
Folake learned about the Twelve at Sunday school and could name each disciple.
The Twelve included fishermen, a tax collector, and other ordinary people from the region.
A painting in the old stone church shows the Twelve sitting together at the Last Supper.
文法句型
the Twelve
用法筆記
Usually written with a capital T when referring specifically to the apostles. Distinguish from sense 2 (GROUP OF 12), which refers to any group of twelve.
5. in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), a collection of twelve shorter books of
in the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), a collection of twelve shorter books of the prophets, including Hosea, Amos, and Micah, often treated as a single unit.
In Jewish tradition, the Twelve are written on one scroll and read during certain holy days.
capitalised: 'the Twelve' referring to a biblical book collection
The seminary course covered the Twelve, from Hosea through Malachi.
Students of theology often study the Twelve together to compare the prophets' messages.
A class at the university is reading the Twelve as part of its course on biblical literature.
文法句型
the Twelve