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Double; duplicate; multiplied by two; as, a twofold nature; a twofold sense; a twofold argument.

A dance in moderate twofold time, invented by the French in the reign of Louis XIV.; -- now mostly found in suites of pieces, like those of Bach and Handel.

ons; and hence, of uncertain meaning. It differs from equivocation, which arises from the twofold sense of a single term.

Twofold; arranged in two rows.

Twofold; double; of two kinds, degrees, etc. Shak.

Twofold; double. [R.] "Binal revenge, all this." Ford.

A prefix, signifying twofold, double, twice; (Chem.)

A double reading, or twofold interpretation, as of a Scripture text. [R.]

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.

Acting or operating in two directions or with both motions; producing a twofold result; as, a double-acting engine or pump.

State of being dual or twofold; a twofold division; any system which is founded on a double principle, or a twofold distinction; as:

The quality or condition of being two or twofold; dual character or usage.

Double; twofold. Duplex escapement, a peculiar kind of watch escapement, in which the scape-wheel has two sets of teeth. See Escapement. -- Duplex lathe, one for turning off, screwing, and surfacing, by means of two cutting tools, on opposite sides of the piece operated upon. -- Duplex pumping engine, a steam pump in…

Double; twofold. Duplicate proportion or ratio (Math.), the proportion or ratio of squares. Thus, in geometrical proportion, the first term to the third is said to be in a duplicate ratio of the first to the second, or as its square is to the square of the second. Thus, in 2, 4, 8, 16, the ratio of 2 to 8 is a duplicat…

Doubleness; a twofold state. [Archaic] Do not affect duplicities nor triplicities, nor any certain number of parts in your division of things. I. Watts.

To provide with gearing. Double geared, driven through twofold compound gearing, to increase the force or speed; -- said of a machine.

Any substance, as alum or copperas, which, having a twofold attraction for organic fibers and coloring matter, serves as a bond of union, and thus gives fixity to, or bites in, the dyes.

e language. Being both dramatic author and dramatic performer, he found himself heir to a twofold opprobrium. De Quincey.

ced. The earthly author of my blood, Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, Doth with a twofold vigor lift me up. Shak.

Also in an extended sense. The th, with its twofold value, is . . . the shibboleth of foreigners. Earle.