twin

¹

[ twin ]

noun

1. either of two children or animals brought forth at a birth.
2. either of two persons or things closely related to or closely resembling each other.
3. twin bed.
4. Also called twin room. a type of hotel accommodation with twin beds, for occupancy by two persons. Compare double ( def ).
5. Also called hemitrope. Crystallography. a compound crystal consisting of two or more parts or crystals definitely oriented each to the other; macle.
6. Twins, Astronomy, Astrology. the constellation or sign of Gemini.

adjective

1. being a twin or twins:

   twin sisters.

2. being two persons or things closely related to or closely resembling each other.
3. being one of a pair; identical:

   a twin bracelet; a twin peak.

4. consisting of two similar parts or elements joined or connected:

   a twin vase.

5. Botany, Zoology. occurring in pairs; didymous.
6. Crystallography. of the nature of a twin; hemitrope.
7. twofold or double.

verb (used with object)

, twinned, twin·ning.

1. to bring together in close relationship; pair; couple.
2. to furnish a counterpart to or a replica of; match.
3. Informal. to divide or convert into two, parts, similar items, etc.:

   The old movie palace will be twinned, making two smaller theaters.

4. Informal. to link or combine with:

   The new grocery store is twinned with a restaurant.

5. Crystallography. to form into a twin.
6. Obsolete. to give birth to as twins.

verb (used without object)

, twinned, twin·ning.

1. to give birth to twins.
2. to be paired or coupled.
3. to match or resemble someone or something in a specific way, and to acknowledge this resemblance: Check out these photos of moms and daughters twinning!

   They are twinning so hard right now.

   Check out these photos of moms and daughters twinning!

twin

²

[ twin ]

verb (used with or without object)

, Scot.

, twinned, twin·ning.

1. twine ².

twin

/ twɪn /

noun

1. 1. either of two persons or animals conceived at the same time
   2. ( as modifier ) See also identical fraternal

      a twin brother

2. 1. either of two persons or things that are identical or very similar; counterpart
   2. ( as modifier )

      twin carburettors

3. Also calledmacle a crystal consisting of two parts each of which has a definite orientation to the other

verb

1. to pair or be paired together; couple
2. intr to bear twins
3. intr (of a crystal) to form into a twin
4. archaic.
   intr to be born as a twin
5. tr
   1. to create a reciprocal relation between (two towns in different countries); pair (a town) with another in a different country
   2. intr (of a town) to be paired with a town in a different country

twin

/ twĭn /

1. One of two offspring born of a single gestation. Identical twins result from the division of a fertilized egg. Fraternal twins result from the fertilization of two separate eggs at the same time.
2. A crystal structure consisting of two intergrown crystals that are mirror images of each other. Mineral twins can form as result of defective crystal growth in response to stress from rock deformation or during magma cooling.

Derived Forms

• ˈtwinning, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of twin¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective twynne, twinne, Old English adjective twinn “twofold, double”; noun and adjective getwinn “double,” (plural getwinnas “twins”); akin to Old Frisian twīna, twīne “two together,” Old Norse tvinnr “double,” Gothic twaihnái “two each”

Word History and Origins

Origin of twin¹

Old English twinn ; related to Old High German zwiniling twin, Old Norse tvinnr double

Example Sentences

Wanda had been missing her twin brother throughout the season, setting up a possible reunion in the alternate reality she has created for herself in “WandaVision,” where she has proven to be immensely powerful.

From Washington Post

He said he’ll treasure the limited time she spent with his 1-year-old twin boys, Noah and Matias.

From Washington Post

At the time, three friends — an 18-year-old man and 19-year-old twin sisters — were hanging signs in the trail area, according to court documents filed by Maryland-National Capital Park Police and an earlier interview with the 18-year-old.

From Washington Post

Identical twins may not be exact copies at the DNA level after all.

From Science News For Students

Four Maryland players, including twins Matt and Ben Di Rosa, are draft eligible but could end up playing for the Terrapins this spring.

From Washington Post

Twin buglers played “Taps” and three police helicopters flew overhead in the missing-man formation.

From The Daily Beast

Target was established in 1962 by the Dayton brothers as a discount offshoot of their eponymous Twin Cities department store.

From The Daily Beast

Twin girls, Greta and Grace, run around the floor in circles, wearing pink playsuits with tiny pink wings attached.

From The Daily Beast

The twin entrepreneurs and stars of HGTV's Property Brothers will be taking your questions live on Tuesday, December 16 at 2pm.

From The Daily Beast

Production companies he was working with discovered that he had a twin brother in the renovation industry.

From The Daily Beast

This hurly-burly,” said he, drawing her into a quiet eddy of the stream, “is no place for the communion of two twin souls.

From Project Gutenberg

The twin whirlpools threatened the affrightened mariner on either side.

From Project Gutenberg

Through the rear window, Delancy saw twin swords of light from the lamps of another car not so far behind them.

From Project Gutenberg

Matt listened to the steady hum of the Comet's twin cylinders with an exultation he could not conceal.

From Project Gutenberg

My cousin Philip will believe now that he might be my brothermy twin brotherbut that he appears older than he is.

From Project Gutenberg