double

double ► ADJECTIVE 1) consisting of two equal, identical, or similar parts or things. 2) having twice the usual size, quantity, or strength: a double brandy. 3) designed to be used by two people. 4) having two different roles or interpretations: she began a double life. 5) (of a flower) having more than one circle of petals.

► PREDETERMINER ▪ twice as much or as many.

► ADVERB ▪ at or to twice the amount or extent.

► NOUN 1) a thing which is twice as large as usual or is made up of two parts. 2) a person who looks exactly like another. 3) (doubles) a game involving sides made up of two players. 4) Brit. (the double) the winning of two sporting trophies in the same season. 5) Darts a hit on the ring enclosed by the two outer circles of a dartboard, scoring double.

► PRONOUN ▪ an amount twice as large as usual.

► VERB 1) make or become double. 2) fold or bend over on itself. 3) (double up) bend over or curl up with pain or laughter. 4) (double (up) as) be used in or play another, different role. 5) (double back) go back in the direction one has come.

● at the double — Cf. ↑at the double

DERIVATIVES doubleness noun doubler noun doubly adverb.

ORIGIN Latin duplus, from duo 'two ' .