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Double

1. to increase by adding an equal number, quantity, length, value, or the like; multiply by two; to double a sum of money; to double a number, or length. Double six thousand, and then treble that. (Shak)

2. to make of two thicknesses or folds by turning or bending together in the middle; to fold one part upon another part of; as, to double the leaf of a book, and the like; to clinch, as the fist; often followed by up; as, to double up a sheet of paper or cloth. Then the old man Was wroth, and doubled up his hands. (Tennyson)

3. to be the double of; to exceed by twofold; to contain or be worth twice as much as. Thus reenforced, against the adverse fleet, still doubling ours, brave Rupert leads the way. (Dryden)

4. to pass around or by; to march or sail round, so as to reverse the direction of motion. Sailing along the coast, the doubled the promontory of Carthage. (Knolles)

5. to unite, as ranks or files, so as to form one from each two.

Origin: oe. Doblen, dublen, doublen, f. Doubler, fr. L. Duplare, fr. Duplus. See double.

1. Twice as much; twice the number, sum, quantity, length, value, and the like. If the thief be found, let him pay double. (ex. Xxii. 7)

2. Among compositors, a doublet (see doublet.

2); among pressmen, a sheet that is twice pulled, and blurred.

3. That which is doubled over or together; a doubling; a plait; a fold. Rolled up in sevenfold double Of plagues. (Marston)

4. a turn or circuit in running to escape pursues; hence, a trick; a shift; an artifice. These men are too well acquainted with the chase to be flung off by any false steps or doubles. (Addison)

5. Something precisely equal or counterpart to another; a counterpart. Hence, a wraith. My charming friend . . . Has, i am almost sure, a double, who preaches his afternoon sermons for him. (atlantic Monthly)

6. a player or singer who prepares to take the part of another player in his absence; a substitute.

7. Double beer; strong beer.

8. a feast in which the antiphon is doubled, hat is, said twice, before and after the Psalms, instead of only half being said, as in simple feasts.

9. a game between two pairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles.

10. An old term for a variation, as in Bach's Suites.

1. Twofold; multiplied by two; increased by its equivalent; made twice as large or as much, etc. Let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. (2 kings II. 9) Darkness and tempest make a double night. (Dryden)

2. Being in pairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set together; coupled. [Let] The swan, on still St. Mary's lake, float double, swan and shadow. (Wordsworth)

3. Divided into two; acting two parts, one openly and the other secretly; equivocal; deceitful; insincere. With a double heart do they speak. (Ps. Xii. 2)

4. (Science: botany) Having the petals in a flower considerably increased beyond the natural number, usually as the result of cultivation and the expense of the stamens, or stamens and pistils. The white water lily and some other plants have their blossoms naturally double.

double is often used as the first part of a compound word, generally denoting two ways, or twice the number, quantity, force, etc, twofold, or having two. Double base, or double bass . Same as double-quick. Double window, a window having two sets of glazed sashes with an air Space between them.

Origin: oe. Doble, duble, double, OF. Doble, duble, double, f. Double, fr. L. Duplus, fr. The root of duo two, and perh. That of plenus full; akin to gr. Double. See two, and full, and cf. Diploma, duple.