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Webster 1913 Edition

Double

Dou′ble

(dŭb′’l)
,
Adj.
[OE.
doble
,
duble
,
double
, OF.
doble
,
duble
,
double
, F.
double
, fr. L.
duplus
, fr. the root of
duo
two, and perh. that of
plenus
full; akin to Gr.
διπλόοσ
double. See
Two
, and
Full
, and cf.
Diploma
,
Duple
.]
1.
Twofold; multiplied by two; increased by its equivalent; made twice as large or as much, etc.
Let a
double
portion of thy spirit be upon me.
2 Kings ii. 9.
Darkness and tempest make a
double
night.
Dryden.
2.
Being in pairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set together; coupled.
[Let] The swan, on still St. Mary’s lake,
Float
double
, swan and shadow.
Wordsworth.
3.
Divided into two; acting two parts, one openly and the other secretly; equivocal; deceitful; insincere.
With a
double
heart do they speak.
Ps. xii. 2.
4.
(Bot.)
Having the petals in a flower considerably increased beyond the natural number, usually as the result of cultivation and the expense of the stamens, or stamens and pistils. The white water lily and some other plants have their blossoms naturally double.
☞ Double is often used as the first part of a compound word, generally denoting two ways, or twice the number, quantity, force, etc., twofold, or having two.
Double base
, or
Double bass
(Mus.)
,
the largest and lowest-toned instrument in the violin form; the contrabasso or violone.
–
Double convex
.
See under
Convex
.
–
Double counterpoint
(Mus.)
,
that species of counterpoint or composition, in which two of the parts may be inverted, by setting one of them an octave higher or lower.
–
Double court
(Lawn Tennis)
,
a court laid out for four players, two on each side.
–
Double dagger
(Print.)
,
a reference mark (‡) next to the dagger (†) in order; a diesis.
–
Double drum
(Mus.)
,
a large drum that is beaten at both ends.
–
Double eagle
,
a gold coin of the United States having the value of 20 dollars.
–
Double entry
.
See under
Bookkeeping
.
–
Double floor
(Arch.)
,
a floor in which binding joists support flooring joists above and ceiling joists below. See Illust. of Double-framed floor.
–
Double flower
.
See
Double
,
Adj.
, 4.
–
Double-framed floor
(Arch.)
,
a double floor having girders into which the binding joists are framed.
–
Double fugue
(Mus.)
,
a fugue on two subjects.
–
Double letter
.
(a)
(Print.)
Two letters on one shank; a ligature
.
(b)
A mail requiring double postage.
–
Double note
(Mus.)
,
a note of double the length of the semibreve; a breve. See
Breve
.
–
Double octave
(Mus.)
,
an interval composed of two octaves, or fifteen notes, in diatonic progression; a fifteenth.
–
Double pica
.
See under
Pica
.
–
Double play
(Baseball)
,
a play by which two players are put out at the same time.
–
Double plea
(Law)
,
a plea alleging several matters in answer to the declaration, where either of such matters alone would be a sufficient bar to the action.
Stephen.
–
Double point
(Geom.)
,
a point of a curve at which two branches cross each other. Conjugate or isolated points of a curve are called
double points
, since they possess most of the properties of
double points
(see
Conjugate
). They are also called
acnodes
, and those points where the branches of the curve really cross are called
crunodes
. The extremity of a cusp is also a
double point
.
–
Double quarrel
.
(Eccl. Law)
See
Duplex querela
, under
Duplex
.
–
Double refraction
.
(Opt.)
See
Refraction
.
–
Double salt
.
(Chem.)
(a)
A mixed salt of any polybasic acid which has been saturated by different bases or basic radicals, as the double carbonate of sodium and potassium,
NaKCO3.6H2O
.
(b)
A molecular combination of two distinct salts, as common alum, which consists of the sulphate of aluminium, and the sulphate of potassium or ammonium.
–
Double shuffle
,
a low, noisy dance.
–
Double standard
(Polit. Econ.)
,
a double standard of monetary values; i. e., a gold standard and a silver standard, both of which are made legal tender.
–
Double star
(Astron.)
,
two stars so near to each other as to be seen separate only by means of a telescope. Such stars may be only optically near to each other, or may be physically connected so that they revolve round their common center of gravity, and in the latter case are called also binary stars.
–
Double time
(Mil.)
.
Same as
Double-quick
.
–
Double window
,
a window having two sets of glazed sashes with an air space between them.

Dou′ble

,
adv.
Twice; doubly.
I was
double
their age.
Swift.

Dou′ble

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Doubled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Doubling
.]
[OE.
doblen
,
dublen
,
doublen
, F.
doubler
, fr. L.
duplare
, fr.
duplus
. See
Double
,
Adj.
]
1.
To increase by adding an equal number, quantity, length, value, or the like; multiply by two;
as, to
double
a sum of money; to
double
a number, or length
.
Double
six thousand, and then treble that.
Shakespeare
2.
To make of two thicknesses or folds by turning or bending together in the middle; to fold one part upon another part of;
as, to
double
the leaf of a book, and the like
; to clinch, as the fist; – often followed by up;
as, to
double
up a sheet of paper or cloth
.
Prior.
Then the old man
Was wroth, and
doubled
up his hands.
Tennyson.
3.
To be the double of; to exceed by twofold; to contain or be worth twice as much as.
Thus reënforced, against the adverse fleet,
Still
doubling
ours, brave Rupert leads the way.
Dryden.
4.
To pass around or by; to march or sail round, so as to reverse the direction of motion.
Sailing along the coast, the
doubled
the promontory of Carthage.
Knolles.
5.
(Mil.)
To unite, as ranks or files, so as to form one from each two.

Dou′ble

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To be increased to twice the sum, number, quantity, length, or value; to increase or grow to twice as much.
'T is observed in particular nations, that within the space of three hundred years, notwithstanding all casualties, the number of men
doubles
.
T. Burnet.
2.
To return upon one's track; to turn and go back over the same ground, or in an opposite direction.
Doubling
and turning like a hunted hare.
Dryden.
Doubling
and
doubling
with laborious walk.
Wordsworth.
3.
To play tricks; to use sleights; to play false.
What penalty and danger you accrue,
If you be found to
double
.
J. Webster.
4.
(Print.)
To set up a word or words a second time by mistake; to make a doublet.
To double upon
(Mil.)
,
to inclose between two fires.

Dou′ble

,
Noun.
1.
Twice as much; twice the number, sum, quantity, length, value, and the like.
If the thief be found, let him pay
double
.
Ex. xxii. 7.
2.
Among compositors, a doublet (see
Doublet
, 2.); among pressmen, a sheet that is twice pulled, and blurred.
3.
That which is doubled over or together; a doubling; a plait; a fold.
Rolled up in sevenfold
double

Of plagues.
Marston.
4.
A turn or circuit in running to escape pursues; hence, a trick; a shift; an artifice.
These men are too well acquainted with the chase to be flung off by any false steps or
doubles
.
Addison.
5.
A person or thing that is the counterpart of another; a duplicate; copy;
(Obs.)
transcript; – now chiefly used of persons. Hence, a wraith.
My charming friend . . . has, I am almost sure, a
double
, who preaches his afternoon sermons for him.
Atlantic Monthly.
7.
Double beer; strong beer.
8.
(Eccl.)
A feast in which the antiphon is doubled, hat is, said twice, before and after the Psalms, instead of only half being said, as in simple feasts.
Shipley.
9.
(Lawn Tennis)
A game between two pairs of players;
as, a first prize for
doubles
.
10.
(Mus.)
An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites.

Webster 1828 Edition

Double

DOUBLE

,
Adj.
Dubl. [L., Gr. See Two.]
1.
Two of a sort together; one corresponding to the other; being in pairs; as double chickens in the same egg; double leaves connected by one petiole.
2.
Twice as much; containing the same quantity or length repeated.
Take double money in your hand. Genesis 53.
Let a double portion of thy spirit be on me. 2 Kings 2.
With to; as, the amount is double to what I expected.
3.
Having one added to another; as a double chin.
4.
Twofold; also, of two kinds.
Darkness and tempest make a double night.
5.
Two in number; as double sight or sound. [See No. 1.]
6.
Deceitful; acting two parts, one openly, the other in secret.
And with double heart do they speak. Psalm 12.

DOUBLE

,
adv.
Dubl. Twice.
I was double their age.

DOUBLE

, in composition, denotes, two ways, or twice the number or quantity.

Definition 2024

double

double

See also: Doublé and doublé

English

English numbers
20
2 3  > 
    Cardinal : two
    Ordinal : second
    Adverbial : twice
    Multiplier : double

Adjective

double ‎(not comparable)

  1. Made up of two matching or complementary elements.
    The closet has double doors.‎
    • 1915, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price, chapterI:
      “[…] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.”
    • 2013 August 10, Lexington, “Keeping the mighty honest”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8848:
      The [Washington] Post's proprietor through those turbulent [Watergate] days, Katharine Graham, held a double place in Washington’s hierarchy: at once regal Georgetown hostess and scrappy newshound, ready to hold the establishment to account.
  2. Twice the quantity.
    Give me a double serving of mashed potatoes.‎
  3. Of a family relationship, related on both the maternal and paternal sides of a family.
    He's my double cousin as my mother's sister married my father's brother.‎
  4. Designed for two users.
    a double room‎
  5. Folded in two; composed of two layers.
  6. Stooping; bent over.
  7. Having two aspects; ambiguous.
    a double meaning‎
  8. False, deceitful, or hypocritical.
    a double life‎
  9. Of flowers, having more than the normal number of petals.
  10. (music) Of an instrument, sounding an octave lower.
    a double bass‎
  11. (music) Of time, twice as fast.

Derived terms

See also

Coefficient Noun Result
1 single singlet
2 double doublet
twin
3 triple triplet
4 quadruple quadruplet
5 quintuple
pentuple		 quintuplet
pentuplet
6 sextuple
hextuple		 sextuplet
hextuplet
7 septuple
heptuple		 septuplet
heptuplet
8 octuple octuplet
9 nonuple nonuplet
10 decuple decuplet
11 undecuple
hendecuple		 undecuplet
hendecuplet
12 duodecuple duodecuplet
13 tredecuple tredecuplet
100 centuple centuplet
many multiple multiplet

Translations

Adverb

double ‎(not comparable)

  1. Twice over; twofold.
    • Jonathan Swift
      I was double their age.
  2. Two together; two at a time. (especially in see double)

Noun

double ‎(plural doubles)

  1. Twice the number, amount, size, etc.
  2. A person who resembles and stands in for another person, often for safety purposes
    Saddam Hussein was rumored to have many doubles.
  3. A drink with two portions of alcohol
    On second thought, make that a double.
  4. A ghostly apparition of a living person; doppelgänger.
  5. A sharp turn, especially a return on one's own tracks.
  6. A redundant item for which an identical item already exists
    I have more than 200 stamps in my collection but they're not all unique: some are doubles.
    Before printing the photos, Liam deleted the doubles.
  7. (baseball) A two-base hit
    The catcher hit a double to lead off the ninth.
  8. (bridge) A call that increases certain scoring points if the last preceding bid becomes the contract.
  9. (billiards) A strike in which the object ball is struck so as to make it rebound against the cushion to an opposite pocket.
  10. A bet on two horses in different races in which any winnings from the first race are placed on the horse in the later race.
  11. (darts) The narrow outermost ring on a dartboard.
  12. (darts) A hit on this ring.
  13. (dominoes) A tile that has the same value (i.e., the same number of pips) on both sides.
  14. (computing, programming) A double-precision floating-point number.
    The sin() function returns a double.
  15. (soccer) Two competitions, usually one league and one cup, won by the same team in a single season.
  16. (sports) The feat of scoring twice in one game.
    • 2010 December 28, Owen Phillips, “Sunderland 0 - 2 Blackpool”, in BBC:
      DJ Campbell grabbed a second-half double as Blackpool made Sunderland pay for a host of missed chances to secure a fifth away league win of the season.
  17. (sports, chiefly swimming and track) The feat of winning two events in a single meet or competition.
    In 1996, Michael Johnson achieved a double by winning both the 200 and 400 meter dashes.
  18. (historical) A former French coin worth one-sixth of a sou.
  19. (historical, Guernsey) A copper coin worth one-eighth of a penny.
    • 1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York 2007, page 196:
      As for doubles, they are not worth anything now; and I have still got an egg-cupful my mother used to keep handy to give the baker change from a farthing.
  20. (music) Playing the same part on two instruments, alternately.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

double ‎(third-person singular simple present doubles, present participle doubling, simple past and past participle doubled)

  1. To multiply by two.
    The company doubled their earnings per share over last quarter.
  2. To fold over so as to make two folds.
    To make a pleat, double the material at the waist.
  3. To be the double of; to exceed by twofold; to contain or be worth twice as much as.
    • Dryden
      Thus reinforced, against the adverse fleet, / Still doubling ours, brave Rupert leads the way.
  4. (intransitive) To increase by 100%, to become twice as large in size.
    Our earnings have doubled in the last year.
  5. (baseball) To get a two-base hit.
    The batter doubled into the corner.
  6. (transitive) (sometimes followed by up) To clench (a fist).
  7. (transitive) (often followed by together or up) To join or couple.
  8. (transitive) To repeat exactly; copy.
  9. (intransitive) (often followed by as) To play a second part or serve a second role.
    A spork is a kind of fork that doubles as a spoon.
  10. (intransitive) To turn sharply; following a winding course.
  11. (nautical) To sail around (a headland or other point).
    • Knolles
      Sailing along the coast, he doubled the promontory of Carthage.
    • 1719, Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
      […] though the island itself was not very large […] I found a great ledge of rocks lie out about two leagues into the sea...so that I was obliged to go a great way out to sea to double the point.
  12. (music) To duplicate (a part) either in unison or at the octave above or below it.
  13. (music, intransitive, usually followed by "on") To be capable of performing (upon an additional instrument).
  14. (bridge) To make a call that will double certain scoring points if the preceding bid becomes the contract.
  15. (card games, intransitive) To double down.
  16. (billiards, snooker, pool) To cause (a ball) to rebound from a cushion before entering the pocket.
  17. (intransitive) (followed by for) To act as substitute.
  18. (intransitive) To go or march at twice the normal speed.
    • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 47
      "You double down to the harbour, my lad," said the Captain to Strickland, "and sign on. You've got your papers."
      Strickland set off at once, and that was the last Captain Nichols saw of him.
  19. (transitive) To multiply the strength or effect of by two.
    Sorry, this store does not double coupons.
  20. (military) To unite, as ranks or files, so as to form one from each two.
  21. (radio, informal, of a station) To transmit simultaneously on the same channel as another station, either unintentionally or deliberately, causing interference.
    Could you please repeat your last transmission? Another station was doubling with you.

Derived terms

Translations

See also

French

Etymology

From Old French doble, from Latin duplus.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /dubl/

Adjective

double m, f ‎(plural doubles)

  1. double (all meanings)
    Il s'agit d'une phrase à double sens.

Derived terms

Related terms

Noun

double m ‎(plural doubles)

  1. Double. (clarification of this French definition is being sought)
    Je n'en avais pas assez, alors j'en acheté le double.
  2. (baseball) double

Verb

double

  1. first-person singular present indicative of doubler
  2. third-person singular present indicative of doubler
  3. first-person singular present subjunctive of doubler
  4. first-person singular present subjunctive of doubler
  5. second-person singular imperative of doubler

Etymology

13th Century. Borrowing from Old French doble, double, from Latin duplus ‎(“twofold”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈdʌb.əɫ/
  • Rhymes: -ʌbəl

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