double
1. dou.ble \'d*b-*l\ aj [ME, fr. OF, fr. L duplus, fr. duo two + -plus
multiplied by;] akin to Gk diploos double, OE fealdan to fold 1: having a
twofold relation or character : DUAL 2: consisting of two usu. combined
members or parts 3: being twice as great or as many 4: marked by
duplicity : DECEITFUL 5: folded in two 6: having more than the normal
number of floral leaves often at the expens e of the sporophylls -
dou.ble.ness n
2. double n 1: something twice the usual size, strength, speed, quantity,
or value : as 1a: a double amount 1b: a two-base hit in baseball 2:
COUNTERPART, DUPLICATE : as 2a: WRATH 2b1: UNDERSTUDY 2b2: one who
resembles an actor and takes his place in scenes calling for s pecial
skills 3a: a sharp turn (as in running) : REVERSAL 3b: an evasive shift
4: something consisting of two paired members : as 4a: FOLD 4b: a
combined bet placed on two different contests 4c: two consecutive strikes
in bowling pl 5: a game between two pairs of players 6: an act of
doubling in a card game
3. double av 1a: to twice the extent or amount : DOUBLY 1b: two together
archaic 2: DECEITFULLY
4. double \'d*b-(*-)lin\ \'d*b-(*-)l*r\ vb or dou.bling 1: to make twice as
great or as many : as 1a: to increase by adding an equal amount 1b: to
amount to twice the number of 1c: to make a call in bridge that increases
the value of odd tricks or und ertricks at (an opponent's bid) 1d1: to
advance (a base runner in baseball) by a two-base hit 1d2: to put out (a
base runner) in completing a double play 2a: to make of two thicknesses :
FOLD 2b: CLENCH 2c: to cause to stoop 3a: to avoid by doubling : ELUDE
3b: to sail around (as a cape) by reversing direction 4a: to replace in a
dramatic role 4b: to play (dramatic roles) by doubling 1a: to become
twice as much or as many 1b: to double a bid (as in bridge) 1c: to make a
two-base hit in baseball 2a: to turn sharply and suddenly; esp : to turn
back on one's cour se 2b: to follow a circuitous course 3: to become bent
or folded usu. in the middle 4a: to serve an additional purpose or perform
an additional duty 4b: to play a dramatic role as a double - dou.bler n