duodecimate/ˌdjuːəʊˈdɛsɪmət/EtymologyFrom Latin duodecimatus, from duodecim (“twelve”) + -ātus (“-ate”).nounSynonym of duodecimvirate: a group of twelve.“We affirm, that to all eternity the apostles are to be twelve, among all the redeemed, a conspicuous, glorious, unassociated duodecimate.”verbTo kill one twelfth of a group of people, especially by lot.“The French squadron…opened fire at a distance far beyond the range of our rifles, and the carnage in our ranks was fearful. We were being gradually duodecimated.”To divide into twelfths; to divide duodecimally.“He has duodecimated his difficulties by choosing twelve boy “heroes.””