double
double (dŭbʹəl) adjective
Abbr. dble.
1. Twice as much in size, strength, number, or amount: a double dose.
2. Composed of two like parts: double doors.
3. Composed of two unlike parts; dual: a double meaning; a double role for an actor.
4. Accommodating or designed for two: a double bed; a double room.
5. Characterized by duplicity; deceitful: speak with a double tongue.
6. Botany. Having many more than the usual number of petals, usually in a crowded or an overlapping arrangement: a double chrysanthemum.
noun
Abbr. dble.
1. Something increased twofold.
2. One that closely resembles another; a duplicate.
3. a. An actor's understudy. b. An actor who takes the place of another actor in scenes requiring special skills or preparations: a stunt double; a body double.
4. An apparition; a wraith.
5. a. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal. b. A sharp, often devious change in position or argument; a shift.
6. doubles Sports. A form of a game, such as tennis or handball, having two players on each side.
7. Baseball. See two-base hit.
8. Games. a. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid. b. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract. c. A hand justifying such a bid.
verb
doubled, doubling, doubles
verb, transitive
1. To make twice as great.
2. To be twice as much as: doubled the score of his opponent.
3. To fold in two.
4. To clench (one's fist).
5. To duplicate; repeat.
6. To turn (an enemy spy) into a double agent.
7. Baseball. a. To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a two-base hit. b. To advance or score (a runner) by hitting a two-base hit.
8. Baseball. To put out (a runner) as the second part of a double play.
9. Games. To challenge (an opponent's bid) with a double in bridge.
10. Music. To duplicate (another part or voice) an octave higher or lower or in unison.
11. Nautical. To sail around: double a cape.
verb, intransitive
1. To be increased twofold: The debt soon doubled.
2. To turn sharply or all the way around; reverse one's course: had to double back to touch the missed base.
3. To serve in an additional capacity: a frying pan that doubles as a pie tin; a conductor who doubles as a pianist.
4. To replace an actor in the actor's absence or in a certain scene.
5. Baseball. To hit a two-base hit.
6. Games. To announce a double in bridge.
adverb
1. To twice the amount or extent; doubly: paid double for the customized car.
2. Two together; in pairs: sleeping double.
3. In two: bent double.
phrasal verb.
double up
1. To bend suddenly, as in pain or laughter.
2. To share accommodations meant for one person.
idiom.
on the double or at the double
1. Immediately.
2. In double time.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin duplus.]
douʹbleness noun