reduplicate

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

verb (used with object)

, re·du·pli·cat·ed, re·du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to double; repeat.
2. Grammar. to form (a derivative or inflected form) by doubling a specified syllable or other portion of the primitive, sometimes with fixed modifications, as in Greek léloipa “I have left,” leípo “I leave.”

verb (used without object)

, re·du·pli·cat·ed, re·du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to become doubled.
2. Grammar. to become reduplicated.

adjective

1. doubled.

reduplicate

verb

1. to make or become double; repeat
2. to repeat (a sound or syllable) in a word or (of a sound or syllable) to be repeated, esp in forming inflections in certain languages

adjective

1. doubled or repeated
2. (of petals or sepals) having the margins curving outwards

Derived Forms

• reˈduplicative, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reduplicate¹

1560–70; < Late Latin reduplicātus (past participle of reduplicāre ), equivalent to Latin re- re- + duplic ( āre ) to double + -ātus -ate ¹ ( duplicate )

Example Sentences

He retained them in the multipanel murals, which were composed of three to five individual prints, with figures at the margins sliced and reduplicated where the prints overlapped.

From New York Times

In this show’s 1912 collage of a face by Picasso, a reduplicated nose and ear seem to cast doubt on the entire project of orderly representation.

From New York Times

His efforts have already reduplicated existing government efforts in some cases.

From Scientific American

In my fight against my care receivers' dementia I try to reduplicate their own favourite dishes.

From New York Times

Lefty gave us his magnificently written poem which he could never reduplicate because he had lost his hand.

From Literature

Related Words

• act like
• ape
• assume
• duplicate
• echo
• emulate
• impersonate
• mimic
• mirror
• mock
• pretend
• replicate
• reproduce
• resemble
• simulate