Meaning & Definition
noun
the person or thing in the thirteenth position.
He was the thirteenth to sign up for the event.
a quantity equal to one part out of thirteen equal parts.
Each participant will receive a thirteenth of the total prize money.
adjective
constituting number thirteen in a sequence; 13th.
She finished in thirteenth place in the marathon.
relating to the number thirteen.
The thirteenth chapter of the book is quite thrilling.
Etymology
From Old English 'þridda' meaning 'third' + 'teen', indicating the ordinal number of thirteen.
Common Phrases and Expressions
thirteenth hour:
An hour that is after midnight, referring to a time of significance.
thirteenth amendment:
Refers to the amendment that abolished slavery in the United States.
Slang Meanings
Refers to a bad luck charm associated with the number thirteen.
Some people think the thirteenth floor is unlucky.
Used humorously to signify being the last or the least.
He always jokes that he's the thirteenth wheel on the group date.