Twelve
/twɛlv/noun
The number equivalent to 10 plus 2.
Did you know?Twelve comes from a Proto-Germanic form meaning “two left over” after counting to ten, which is why it sits at the heart of many ancient systems of completeness and cosmic order.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dwo-
“two”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*twalif / *twalifaz
“twelve, originally 'two left over' after ten”
Old English
English
twelf
“twelve”
Middle English
English
twelve
“twelve”
Modern English
English
twelve
“the number 12”