adjective
- two combined; twofold; duplex
- having two layers; folded in two
- having two of one kind; paired; repeated: a double consonant
- being of two kinds; dual: a double standard
- having two meanings; ambiguous
- twice as much, as many, as large, etc.: pay double fare
- of extra size, value, strength, or quantity
- designed or made for two: a double bed
- characterized by duplicity; two-faced; deceiving: leading a double life
- having a tone an octave lower: double bass
- Bot. having more than one set of petals
Origin:
ME < OFr < L duplus, lit., twofold (akin to Gr diploos) < duo, two + -plus < IE *plo-, -fold < base *pel-, to fold
transitive verb doubled, doubling
- to make double; make twice as much or as many; multiply by two
- to fold; add another ply to: double the bandage
- to repeat or duplicate
- to be the double of
- ☆ Baseball
- to put out (the second runner) in executing a double play
- to advance (a runner) by hitting a double
- Bridge to increase the point value or penalty of (an opponent's bid) by saying “double” when it is one's turn to bid
- Music to supply the upper or lower octave to (another part or voice): double the tenor in brass
- Naut. to sail around: they doubled Cape Horn