Doubleness

dou·ble  (dbl)

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. 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.

4. An apparition; a wraith.

5.

a. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal.

b. A sharp, often devious change in position or argument; a shift.

6. doubles Sports A form of a game, such as tennis or handball, having two players on each side.

7. Baseball See two-base hit.

8. 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 two-base hit.

b. To advance or score (a runner) by hitting a two-base hit.

8. Baseball To put out (a runner) as the second part of a double play.

9. Games To challenge (an opponent's bid) with a double in bridge.

10. Music To duplicate (another part or voice) an octave higher or lower or in unison.

11. 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 two-base hit.

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 up

1. To bend suddenly, as in pain or laughter.

2. To share accommodations meant for one person.

Idiom:

on/at the double

1. Immediately.

2. In double time.

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[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin duplus; see dwo- in Indo-European roots.]

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double·ness n.