I. ˈdə-bəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French duble, double, from Latin duplus (akin to Greek diploos ), from duo two + -plus multiplied by; akin to Old English -feald -fold — more at two , -fold
Date: 13th century
1. : having a twofold relation or character : dual
2. : consisting of two usually combined members or parts
an egg with a double yolk
3.
a. : being twice as great or as many
double the number of expected applicants
b. of a coin : worth two of the specified amount
a double eagle
a double crown
4. : marked by duplicity : deceitful
5. : folded in two
6. : of extra size, strength, or value
a double martini
7. : having more than the normal number of floral leaves often at the expense of the sporophylls
8. of rhyme : involving correspondence of two syllables (as in exciting and inviting )
9. : designed for the use of two persons
a double room
a double bed
• dou·ble·ness noun
II. verb
( dou·bled ; dou·bling ˈdə-b(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1. : to make twice as great or as many: as
a. : to increase by adding an equal amount
b. : to amount to twice the number of
c. : to make a call in bridge that increases the value of odd tricks or undertricks at (an opponent's bid)
2.
a. : to bend or fold (as a sheet of paper) usually in the middle so that one part lies directly against the other part
b. : clench
doubled his fist
c. : to cause to stoop
3. : to avoid by doubling : elude
4.
a. : to replace in a dramatic role
b. : to play (dramatic roles) by doubling
5.
a.
(1) : to advance or score (a base runner) by a double
(2) : to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a double
b. : to put out (a base runner) in completing a double play
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to become twice as much or as many
b. : to double a bid (as in bridge)
2.
a. : to turn sharply and suddenly ; especially : to turn back on one's course
the rabbit doubled back on its tracks
b. : to follow a circuitous course
3. : to become bent or folded usually in the middle — usually used with up
she doubled up in pain
4.
a. : to serve an additional purpose or perform an additional duty
b. : to play a dramatic role as a double
5. : to make a double in baseball
• dou·bler -b(ə-)lər noun
III. adverb
Date: 14th century
1. : to twice the extent or amount
2. : two together
some people sleep better double and some single — Morris Fishbein
3. : downward and forward from the usual position
he was bent double with pain
IV. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : something twice the usual size, strength, speed, quantity, or value: as
a. : a double amount
b. : a base hit that enables the batter to reach second base
2. : one that is the counterpart of another : duplicate : as
a. : a living person that closely resembles another living person
b. : wraith
c.
(1) : understudy
(2) : one who resembles an actor and takes his or her place especially in scenes calling for special skills
(3) : an actor who plays more than one role in a production
3.
a. : a sharp turn (as in running) : reversal
b. : an evasive shift
4. : something consisting of two paired members: as
a. : fold
b. : a combined bet placed on two different contests
c. : two consecutive strikes in bowling
5. plural : a game between two pairs of players
6. : an act of doubling in a card game
7. : a room (as in a hotel) for two guests — compare single 4
•
- on the double