dual

[ doo-uhl, dyoo- ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting two.
2. composed or consisting of two people, items, parts, etc., together; twofold; double:

   dual ownership;

   dual controls on a plane.

3. having a twofold, or double, character or nature.
4. Grammar. being or pertaining to a member of the category of number, as in Old English, Old Russian, or Arabic, that denotes two of the things in question.

noun

, Grammar.

1. the dual number.
2. a form in the dual, as Old English git “you two,” as contrasted with ge “you” referring to three or more.

dual

/ ˈdjuːəl /

adjective

1. relating to or denoting two
2. twofold; double
3. (in the grammar of Old English, Ancient Greek, and certain other languages) denoting a form of a word indicating that exactly two referents are being referred to
4. maths logic (of structures or expressions) having the property that the interchange of certain pairs of terms, and usually the distribution of negation, yields equivalent structures or expressions

noun

1. grammar
   1. the dual number
   2. a dual form of a word

verb

1. tr to make (a road) into a dual carriageway

Derived Forms

• ˈdually, adverb

Other Words From

• du·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dual¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin duālis “containing two, relating to a pair,” equivalent to du(o) two + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dual¹

C17: from Latin duālis concerning two, from duo two

Example Sentences

The international team has uncovered a dual nature behind the shock front, previously unknown to astronomers.

From Science Daily

In the past, China has played a dual role in these talks.

From BBC

This is a film of doubles, repeated characters, dual identities and twice the violence in the Colosseum.

From Los Angeles Times

Flynn said he had sought a dual mandate "for the right reasons" but it did not change the fact he had got it wrong.

From BBC

She wanted to clear her head “after that big, overwhelming experience” of juggling dual roles as a writer and executive producer.

From Los Angeles Times