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 best heated throw blanket offers specialized heating in two zones, also known as dual temperature zones.

From Popular-Science

“The way deals work is you are not dual agent if all you are doing is getting compensation from the other party,” said Todd Moore, a Pasadena-based attorney whose focuses include real estate.

From Voice of San Diego

Its dual-sided design means you can get medium-soft comfort on one side or flip it over and get a firm foundation on the other side.

From Popular-Science

Now, she hopes to expand Stripe, an American financial services company dual-headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin.

From Ozy

The head is fully washable, and the blades are dual-cut for increased sharpness and precision.

From Popular-Science

In short, Maduro is now facing dual crises: One economic, the other of legitimacy.

From The Daily Beast

Its 8-megapixel camera, inclusive of true-tone and dual-LED f/2.2 aperture flashes, features optical image stabilization.

From The Daily Beast

Gurira says she approaches her work with a dual-continent mindset.

From The Daily Beast

Hossein Darakhshan, born in Tehran on January 7, 1975, has dual Canadian-Iranian nationality.

From The Daily Beast

The dual message was that black people were dirty and dangerous.

From The Daily Beast

Leading citizens, cited to appear before the American authorities, persistently declined to take any part in a dual régime.

From Project Gutenberg

Married a dozen years ago, for a second time, to the doctor, they seemed still to be at the first months of their dual happiness.

From Project Gutenberg

It was doubtless agreed that they should form a dual alliance, absolute and exclusive.

From Project Gutenberg

The dual league of emperors appeared to the world stronger and more illustrious than before.

From Project Gutenberg

It is necessary in this connexion to understand the dual character of the German Monarchist party since the ending of the war.

From Project Gutenberg