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

Rural roads are defined by police as roads with a speed limit greater than 40 miles per hour that aren’t motorways and dual carriageways.

From BBC

The Centennial product is a dynamic dual threat who’s averaging more than nine yards per carry this season, in addition to throwing for 1,641 yards and 19 touchdowns in nine games.

From Los Angeles Times

First Minister John Swinney said last week that the SNP had yet to make a decision on whether its politicians could hold a dual mandate - where a single person sits in both Westminster and Holyrood.

From BBC

The 21-year-old shot a 72 in his fourth round to finish tied for 11th on eight under and claim the final dual membership spot.

From BBC

Geert Wilders, whose far-right Freedom Party is the biggest of the four parties that make up the Dutch coalition government, has called for the deportation of dual nationals guilty of antisemitism.

From BBC