duodecimal
/ˌdjuːə(ʊ)ˈdɛsɪm(ə)l
/adjective
Relating to or denoting a system of counting or numerical notation that has twelve as a base.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.
- 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.
noun [mass noun]
The system of duodecimal notation.Base 11 is called undenary, Base 12 is called duodenary or duodecimal, Base 16 is called hexadecimal.
Derivatives
duodecimally
- Most common timings could be handled duodecimally with no need for time signatures.
- 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.
- 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.