dou·ble
(dŭb′əl)adj.1. Twice as much in size, strength, number, or amount: a double dose.
2. Composed of two like parts: double doors.
3. Composed of two unlike parts; dual: a double meaning; a double role for an actor.
4. Accommodating or designed for two: a double bed; a double room.
5. Characterized by duplicity; deceitful: speak with a double tongue.
6. Botany Having many more than the usual number of petals, usually in a crowded or an overlapping arrangement: a double chrysanthemum.
n.1. Something increased twofold.
2. One that closely resembles another; a duplicate.
3. a. Something having two identifiable or prominent parts or members.
b. Something capable of carrying, moving, or holding two people or things, as a mattress.
4. a. An actor's understudy.
b. An actor who takes the place of another actor in scenes requiring special skills or preparations: a stunt double; a body double.
5. An apparition; a wraith.
6. a. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal.
b. A sharp, often devious change in position or argument; a shift.
7. doubles Sports A form of a game, such as tennis or handball, having two players on each side.
8. Baseball A hit enabling the batter to reach second base. Also called two-bagger, two-base hit.
9. Games a. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid.
b. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract.
c. A hand justifying such a bid.
v. dou·bled, dou·bling, dou·bles
v.tr.1. To make twice as great.
2. To be twice as much as: doubled the score of his opponent.
3. To fold in two.
4. To clench (one's fist).
5. To duplicate; repeat.
6. To turn (an enemy spy) into a double agent.
7. Baseball a. To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a double.
b. To advance or score (a runner) by hitting a double.
c. To put out (a runner) as the second part of a double play.
8. Games To challenge (an opponent's bid) with a double in bridge.
9. Music To duplicate (another part or voice) an octave higher or lower or in unison.
10. Nautical To sail around: double a cape.
v.intr.1. To be increased twofold: The debt soon doubled.
2. To turn sharply or all the way around; reverse one's course: had to double back to touch the missed base.
3. To serve in an additional capacity: a frying pan that doubles as a pie tin; a conductor who doubles as a pianist.
4. To replace an actor in the actor's absence or in a certain scene.
5. Baseball To hit a double.
6. Games To announce a double in bridge.
adv.1. To twice the amount or extent; doubly: paid double for the customized car.
2. Two together; in pairs: sleeping double.
3. In two: bent double.
Phrasal Verb: double up1. To bend suddenly, as in pain or laughter.
2. To share accommodations meant for one person.
Idiom: on/at the double1. Immediately.
2. In double time.
dou′ble·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
double up
vb (
adverb)
1. to bend or cause to bend in two: he doubled up with the pain.
2. (intr) to share a room or bed designed for one person, family, etc
3. (Gambling, except Cards) (intr) Brit to use the winnings from one bet as the stake for another. US and Canadian term: parlay
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014