Definition of duodecimal in English:
duodecimal
adjective ˌdjuːə(ʊ)ˈdɛsɪm(ə)l
Relating to or denoting a system of counting or numerical notation that has twelve as a base.
Example sentencesExamples
- The regime didn't like the 12-base, or duodecimal, calendar (inherited from antiquity and early Christianity), so it tried to impose a decimal calendar.
- In a duodecimal system (base twelve) why are letters sometimes used instead of numbers?
- The duodecimal calendar has survived since Babylonian times for a reason.
noun ˌdjuːə(ʊ)ˈdɛsɪm(ə)l
mass nounThe system of duodecimal notation.
Example sentencesExamples
- Base 11 is called undenary, Base 12 is called duodenary or duodecimal, Base 16 is called hexadecimal.
Derivatives
adverb
Thus the vast swath of earth subdued by Alexander the Great immediately becomes a desire-object for the contentious successors, who carve it up duodecimally; they run into Parthian and Hindu limits in the East, where the locals respond mimetically to the pattern.
Example sentencesExamples
- His plan would teach people to count duodecimally with two new digits: eight nine deck ell ten; and this by itself would recommend it, as duodecimal arithmetic is a coming reform.
- I'll abbreviate it so that ‘12 -’ stands for ‘duodecimally negative’, ‘7 +’ stands for ‘septimally positive’ and ‘12 + +’ stands for ‘duodecimally double-positive’.
- Most common timings could be handled duodecimally with no need for time signatures.
- The figures, however, are obviously artificial, for they are usually round sums and, like the geld, frequently duodecimally based.
Origin
Late 17th century: from Latin duodecimus 'twelfth' (from duodecim 'twelve') + -al.