duodecennial

adjective /ˌduːoʊdɪˈsɛnɪəl/

1. Consisting of twelve years, occurring in 12-year cycles.

   The duodecennial Chinese zodiac originated from Chinese and Indian observations of the duodecennial cycle of the Jovian orbit.

2. Occurring once a duodecade, occurring every 12 years.

   The concept of a duodecennial "Jupiter return" in Western astrology arose from similar concerns.

Where it comes from

From Latin duodecennium (“12-year period”) + English -al (“forming adjs”), equivalent to borrowing the unattested duodecennialis.

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry duodecennial (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← duodecadeduodecimvirate →

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