Double definition | Dictionary.com

Synonyms of Double

twofold, dual, paired, biform, binary, duple, duplex, duplicate, geminate, double-dealing, double-faced, two-faced

Browse Nearby Entries

double

13 dictionary results for: Double

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

dou·ble

[duhb-uh

l] Pronunciation Key adjective, noun, verb, -bled, -bling, adverb

–adjective

1.	twice as large, heavy, strong, etc.; twofold in size, amount, number, extent, etc.: a double portion; a new house double the size of the old one.

2.	composed of two like parts or members; twofold in form; paired: double doors; a double sink.

3.	of, pertaining to, or suitable for two persons: a double room.

4.	twofold in character, meaning, or conduct; dual or ambiguous: a double interpretation.

5.	deceitful; hypocritical; insincere.

6.	(of musical instruments) producing a tone an octave lower than the notes indicate.

7.	duple, as time or rhythm.

8.	folded in two; having one half folded over the other.

9.	(of a bed or bedclothes) full-size: a double blanket.

10.	Botany. (of flowers) having many more than the normal number of petals: double petunias; double hollyhocks.

–noun

11.	anything that is twofold in size or amount or twice the usual size, quantity, strength, etc.

12.	a duplicate or counterpart; something exactly or closely resembling another: This dress is the double of that. He is the double of his cousin.

13.	Also called double room. a type of hotel accommodation with two beds, or sometimes a double bed, for occupancy by two persons. Compare twin (def. 4).

14.	a fold or plait.

15.	an alcoholic drink containing twice the usual amount of alcohol.

16.	a sudden backward turn or bend, as of a fox on the run in fox hunting; reversal.

17.	a trick or artifice, as of argument in a formal debate.

18.	a substitute actor or singer ready to take another's place; understudy.

19.	Movies, Television. a substitute who performs feats or actions too hazardous or difficult for a star.

20.	Baseball. two-base hit.

21.	Military. double time.

22.	doubles, (used with a singular verb) a game or match in which there are two players on each side, as in tennis.

23.

(in bridge or other card games)

a.	a challenge by an opponent that the declarer cannot fulfill the designated contract, increasing the points to be won or lost.

b.	a hand that warrants such a challenge.

24.	Bridge. a conventional bid informing one's partner that a player's hand is of a certain strength.

25.	Bowling. two strikes in succession: He needed a double in the tenth frame to win.

26.	daily double.

27.	any of certain feasts in the Roman Catholic Church, marked by a doubled antiphon and taking precedence over lesser feasts.

28.	Music Rare. a variation.

29.	a former coin of France, the sixth part of a sol, issued in silver in the 14th century, later made of copper.

–verb (used with object)

30.	to make double or twice as great; to add an equal amount to: The baby doubled its weight in a year.

31.	to bend or fold with or as with one part over another (often fol. by over, up, back, etc.): Double the edge over before sewing.

32.	to clench: He doubled his fists.

33.	to be or have twice as much as: Income doubled expenditure.

34.

Nautical.

a.	to sail around (a projecting area of land): to double Cape Horn.

b.	to add a new layer of planking or ceiling to (an old wooden hull).

35.	to pair; couple: The players were doubled for the tournament.

36.	Music. to reduplicate by means of a tone in another part, either at the unison or at an octave above or below.

37.

(in bridge and other card games)

a.	to challenge (the bid of an opponent) by making a call that increases the value of tricks to be won or lost.

b.	to challenge the bid of (an opponent): He doubled me into game.

38.

Baseball.

a.	to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a two-base hit: He doubled him to third.

b.	to cause (a run) to be scored by a two-base hit (often fol. by in): He doubled in the winning run.

c.	to put out (a base runner) as the second out of a double play (often fol. by up).

–verb (used without object)

39.	to become double: My money doubled in three years.

40.	to bend or fold (often fol. by up or over): to double over with pain.

41.	to turn back on a course or reverse direction (often fol. by back): He doubled back by another road and surprised us.

42.	Military. to march at the double-time pace.

43.	to serve in two capacities or in an additional capacity: She doubles as producer and director.

44.	to act as a double in a play, motion picture, or the like.

45.	Music. to play an instrument besides one's regular instrument (usually followed by on): The saxophonist doubles on drums.

46.	(in bridge and other card games) to double the bid of an opponent.

47.	Baseball. to make a two-base hit.

48.	to double-date.

–adverb

49.	to twice the amount, number, extent, etc.; twofold; doubly.

50.	two together: There are only a few beds, so some of the children will have to sleep double for the night.

—Verb phrase

51.

double up,

a.	to share quarters planned for only one person or family: Because of the room shortage, we had to double up.

b.	to bend over, as from pain: He doubled up in agony.

—Idioms

52.	at the double, British Informal. on the double.

53.	double in brass, Informal. to serve in two capacities; be able to do work different from one's own: It is a small firm, and everyone doubles in brass when emergencies arise.

54.	double or nothing, a bet having as its outcome either the doubling of a previous loss or debt or the canceling of that loss or debt. Also, double or quits.

55.

on the double, Informal.

a.	without delay; rapidly: The fire engines came on the double.

b.	in double time, as marching troops.

[Origin: 1175–1225; ME < OF < L duplus, equiv. to du(o) two + -plus -fold

]

—Related forms

dou·ble·ness, noun

doubler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

dou·ble (dŭb'əl) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Twice as much in size, strength, number, or amount: a double dose.
Composed of two like parts: double doors.
Composed of two unlike parts; dual: a double meaning; a double role for an actor.
Accommodating or designed for two: a double bed; a double room.
Characterized by duplicity; deceitful: speak with a double tongue.
Botany Having many more than the usual number of petals, usually in a crowded or an overlapping arrangement: a double chrysanthemum.

Something increased twofold.
One that closely resembles another; a duplicate.
1. An actor's understudy.
2. An actor who takes the place of another actor in scenes requiring special skills or preparations: a stunt double; a body double.
3. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal.
4. A sharp, often devious change in position or argument; a shift.
5. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid.
6. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract.
7. A hand justifying such a bid.
An apparition; a wraith.
1. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal.
2. A sharp, often devious change in position or argument; a shift.
3. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid.
4. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract.
5. A hand justifying such a bid.
doubles Sports A form of a game, such as tennis or handball, having two players on each side.
Baseball See two-base hit.
Games
1. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid.
2. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract.
3. A hand justifying such a bid.

v. dou·bled, dou·bling, dou·bles

v. tr.

To make twice as great.
To be twice as much as: doubled the score of his opponent.
To fold in two.
To clench (one's fist).
To duplicate; repeat.
To turn (an enemy spy) into a double agent.
Baseball
1. To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a two-base hit.
2. To advance or score (a runner) by hitting a two-base hit.
Baseball To put out (a runner) as the second part of a double play.
Games To challenge (an opponent's bid) with a double in bridge.
Music To duplicate (another part or voice) an octave higher or lower or in unison.
Nautical To sail around: double a cape.

v. intr.

To be increased twofold: The debt soon doubled.
To turn sharply or all the way around; reverse one's course: had to double back to touch the missed base.
To serve in an additional capacity: a frying pan that doubles as a pie tin; a conductor who doubles as a pianist.
To replace an actor in the actor's absence or in a certain scene.
Baseball To hit a two-base hit.
Games To announce a double in bridge.

adv.

To twice the amount or extent; doubly: paid double for the customized car.
Two together; in pairs: sleeping double.
In two: bent double.

Phrasal Verb(s):
double up

To bend suddenly, as in pain or laughter.
To share accommodations meant for one person.

Idiom(s):
on/at the double

Immediately.
In double time.

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

dou'ble·ness n.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

two-base hit (tōō'bās')
n. Baseball
A hit enabling the batter to reach second base. Also called double, two-bagger.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
double

c.1225, from O.Fr. duble, from L. duplus "twofold," from duo "two" + -plus "fold." Verb meaning "to work as, in addition to one's regular job" is c.1920, circus slang, from performers who also played in the band. Double-header is first recorded 1869, Amer.Eng., originally a kind of fireworks or a railway train pulled by two engines; baseball sense is c.1890. Double Dutch "gibberish" is attested from 1864 (High Dutch for "incomprehensible language" is recorded from 1789). Double agent is first attested 1935; double date is from 1931. Double-take and double talk both first attested 1938. Military double time (1833) was originally 130 steps per minute; in modern U.S. Army 180 steps of 36 inches in a minute.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

double
adjective
1.	having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities; "a double (or dual) role for an actor"; "the office of a clergyman is twofold; public preaching and private influence"- R.W.Emerson; "every episode has its double and treble meaning"-Frederick Harrison
2.	consisting of or involving two parts or components usually in pairs; "an egg with a double yolk"; "a double (binary) star"; "double doors"; "dual controls for pilot and copilot"; "duple (or double) time consists of two (or a multiple of two) beats to a measure"
3.	twice as great or many; "ate a double portion"; "the dose is doubled"; "a twofold increase"
4.	used of flowers having more than the usual number of petals in crowded or overlapping arrangements; "double chrysanthemums have many rows of petals and are usually spherical or hemispherical" [ant: single]
5.	used of homologous chromosomes associated in pairs in synapsis [syn: bivalent] [ant: multivalent, univalent]
6.	large enough for two; "a double bed"; "a double room"
7.	having two meanings with intent to deceive; "a sly double meaning"; "spoke with forked tongue"
adverb
1.	downward and forward; "he was bent double with pain"
2.	two together; "some people sleep better double"
3.	to double the degree; "she was doubly rewarded"; "his eyes were double bright" [syn: doubly]
noun
1.	a base hit on which the batter stops safely at second base; "he hit a double to deep centerfield"
2.	a stand-in for movie stars to perform dangerous stunts; "his first job in Hollywood was as a double for Clark Gable"
3.	someone who closely resembles a famous person (especially an actor); "he could be Gingrich's double"; "she's the very image of her mother"
4.	a quantity that is twice as great as another; "36 is the double of 18"
5.	raising the stakes in a card game by a factor of 2; "I decided his double was a bluff" [syn: doubling]
verb
1.	increase twofold; "The population doubled within 50 years"
2.	hit a two-base hit
3.	bend over or curl up, usually with laughter or pain; "He doubled and vomited violently" [syn: double over]
4.	do double duty; serve two purposes or have two functions; "She doubles as his wife and secretary"
5.	bridge: make a demand for (a card or suit)
6.	make or do or perform again; "He could never replicate his brilliant performance of the magic trick" [syn: duplicate]

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

double

In addition to the idioms beginning with double, also see lead a double life; on the double; see double.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

U.S. Gazetteer - Cite This Source - Share This

Double Springs, AL (town, FIPS 21280) Location: 34.14836 N, 87.40314 W
Population (1990): 1138 (452 housing units)
Area: 9.1 sq km (land), 0.0 sq km (water)
Zip code(s): 35553

Double Oak, TX (town, FIPS 21028) Location: 33.06407 N, 97.11261 W
Population (1990): 1664 (513 housing units)
Area: 5.6 sq km (land), 0.1 sq km (water)

U.S. Gazetteer, U.S. Census Bureau

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, a. [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. ? 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.

Note: 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 ([dag]) next to the dagger ([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, a., 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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, adv. Twice; doubly.

I was double their age. --Swift.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Doubled; p. pr. & vb. n. Doubling.] [OE. doblen, dublen, doublen, F. doubler, fr. L. duplare, fr. duplus. See Double, a.]

1. To increase by adding an equal number, quantity, length, value, or the like; multiply by two; to double a sum of money; to double a number, or length.

Double six thousand, and then treble that. --Shak.

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 re["e]nforced, 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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, v. 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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, n. 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. Something precisely equal or counterpart to another; a counterpart. Hence, a wraith.

My charming friend . . . has, I am almost sure, a double, who preaches his afternoon sermons for him. --Atlantic Monthly.

6. A player or singer who prepares to take the part of another player in his absence; a substitute.

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.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Double

Dou"ble\, n. 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. --E. E. Hale.

CITE THIS SOURCE|PRINT

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Link to Us · Report Ad · Contact Us