duplicate

[ noun adjective doo-pli-kit, dyoo-; verb doo-pli-keyt, dyoo- ]

noun

1. a copy exactly like an original.

   Synonyms: reproduction, replica, facsimile

   Antonyms: original

2. anything corresponding in all respects to something else.
3. Cards. a duplicate game.

verb (used with object)

, du·pli·cat·ed, du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to make an exact copy of.
2. to do or perform again; repeat:

   He duplicated his father's way of standing with his hands in his pockets.

3. to double; make twofold.

verb (used without object)

, du·pli·cat·ed, du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to become duplicate.

adjective

1. exactly like or corresponding to something else:

   duplicate copies of a letter.

2. consisting of or existing in two identical or corresponding parts; double.

   Synonyms: twofold

3. Cards. noting a game in which each team plays a series of identical hands, the winner being the team making the best total score.

duplicate

/ ˈdjuːplɪkəbəl /

adjective

1. copied exactly from an original
2. identical
3. existing as a pair or in pairs; twofold

noun

1. an exact copy; double
2. something additional or supplementary of the same kind
3. two exact copies (esp in the phrase in duplicate )

verb

1. tr to make a replica of
2. tr to do or make again
3. tr to make in a pair; make double
4. intr biology to reproduce by dividing into two identical parts

   the chromosomes duplicated in mitosis

Derived Forms

• ˈduplicative, adjective
• ˈduplicately, adverb
• ˌduplicaˈbility, noun
• duplicable, adjective

Other Words From

• du·pli·ca·tive adjective
• non·du·pli·cat·ing adjective
• pre·du·pli·cate verb (used with object) preduplicated preduplicating
• qua·si-du·pli·cate adjective
• self·-du·pli·cat·ing adjective
• un·du·pli·cat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of duplicate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin duplicātus (past participle of duplicāre “to make double”), equivalent to duplic- (stem of duplex ) duplex + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of duplicate¹

C15: from Latin duplicāre to double, from duo two + plicāre to fold

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in duplicate, in two copies, especially two identical copies:

   Please type the letter in duplicate.

Synonym Study

See imitate.

Example Sentences

Although some of the duplicated genes have since been lost, Ma thinks the duplication events may have given rise to altered or alternative transcription sites.

From Science Daily

Air traffic control systems handling the flight were confused by a duplicate code - DVL - representing both Deauville in France and Devil's Lake in North Dakota, USA.

From BBC

But Robinson could not duplicate his previous success.

From Los Angeles Times

The commission says the US company whose system it used maintained that "duplicating a voter on the voter list is impossible, as each voter is registered only once".

From BBC

Both companies deny liability and argue that this overseas legal action is "unnecessary" and duplicates legal proceedings in Brazil.

From BBC