dou·ble (dŭb'əl)
adj.

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.

n.

1. Something increased twofold.
2. One that closely resembles another; a duplicate.
3. 1. An actor's understudy.
   2. 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. 1. A sharp turn in a direction of movement; a reversal.
   2. 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.
   1. A bid in bridge indicating strength to one's partner; a request for a bid.
   2. A bid doubling one's opponent's bid in bridge, thus increasing the penalty for failure to fulfill the contract.
   3. A hand justifying such a bid.

v., -bled, -bling, -bles.

v.tr.

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.
   1. To cause the scoring of (a run) by hitting a two-base hit.
   2. 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.

v.intr.

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.

adv.

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 (or at) the double

1. Immediately.
2. In double time.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin duplus.]

doubleness dou'ble·ness n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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