replicate

[ adjective noun rep-li-kit; verb rep-li-keyt ]

adjective

1. Also rep·li·cat·ed. folded; bent back on itself.

verb (used with object)

, rep·li·cat·ed, rep·li·cat·ing.

1. to bend or fold back:

   a replicated leaf.

2. to repeat, duplicate, or reproduce, especially for experimental purposes:

   We were unable to replicate the same results in the field.

3. Genetics. (of a cell) to make a copy of (its DNA):

   The cell replicates its DNA to begin the process of cell division.

verb (used without object)

, rep·li·cat·ed, rep·li·cat·ing.

1. (especially of DNA) to undergo replication;

   Our DNA replicates at a rate of 50 nucleotides per second.

noun

1. something that is replicated, as an experiment or procedure.

replicate

verb

1. also intr to make or be a copy of; reproduce
2. to fold (something) over on itself; bend back
3. to reply to

adjective

1. folded back on itself

   a replicate leaf

Derived Forms

• ˈreplicative, adjective

Other Words From

• non·rep·li·cate adjective
• non·rep·li·cated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of replicate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin replicātus, past participle of replicāre “to fold back”; re-, ply ², -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of replicate¹

C19: from Latin replicātus bent back; see replica

Example Sentences

Other scientists must then replicate those results, proving that the first results weren’t happenstance.

From Slate

If science tried to be efficient, if it refused to replicate, we would end up only with observations and correlations.

From Slate

To find out, you need to replicate; do something over and over again, varying the temperature, water pH, bacterial infection, and more, to find out which of the many options is causing the shrimp decline.

From Slate

If the worker was exposed by a splash of contaminated milk to the eye, or a rub of the eye with a contaminated glove, the virus may have been stalled out — unable to replicate like it could have had the worker been exposed via inhalation.

From Los Angeles Times

As McMahon observed, the sheer volume of materials the bots draw from and the synthesizing process make it unlikely that any answer will replicate any specific content exactly.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clone
• depict
• duplicate
• imitate
• mirror
• reflect
• repeat
• reproduce
• simulate