replicate

American  

[rep-li-kit, rep-li-keyt] / ˈrɛp lɪ kɪt, ˈrɛp lɪˌkeɪt /

adjective

1. Also replicated. folded; bent back on itself.

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verb (used with object)

replicated, replicating

1. to bend or fold back.

   a replicated leaf.

2. to repeat, duplicate, or reproduce, especially for experimental purposes.

   We were unable to replicate the same results in the field.

3. Genetics. (of a cell) to make a copy of (its DNA).

   The cell replicates its DNA to begin the process of cell division.

verb (used without object)

replicated, replicating

1. (especially of DNA) to undergo replication;

   Our DNA replicates at a rate of 50 nucleotides per second.

noun

1. something that is replicated, as an experiment or procedure.

replicate British  

verb

1. (also intr) to make or be a copy of; reproduce

2. to fold (something) over on itself; bend back

3. to reply to

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adjective

1. folded back on itself

   a replicate leaf

Other Word Forms

• nonreplicate
  adjective
• nonreplicated
  adjective
• replicative
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of replicate

First recorded in 1525–35; from Late Latin replicātus, past participle of replicāre “to fold back”; see re-, ply ², -ate ¹

Explanation

Did you just figure out how to make that excellent pizza you had in Philadelphia? Then what you’ve done is replicate it, meaning you’ve been able to reproduce it. The word replicate carries different shades of meaning, but it generally involves repeating something. Students of biology will know that the word is often used to indicate that an exact duplicate has been made, such as chromosomes that replicate themselves. It can also be used in an unscientific sense to mean that something has been done again to match or repeat an earlier outcome, such as a political group that works to replicate a successful campaign.

Example Sentences

Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that CureVac’s shot came up short, says Nathaniel Wang, the chief executive of Replicate Bioscience, an RNA-focused biotech start-up based in San Diego, California.

From Scientific American • Jun. 22, 2021

Ratcliffe said China’s economic espionage approach was threefold: “Rob, Replicate and Replace.”

From Reuters • Dec. 3, 2020

He identified two things he needed to do: Replicate Mr. Cunningham’s success with white, college-educated voters, and increase the share of the black electorate by bringing in new voters.

From New York Times • Jun. 10, 2020

Replicate that pop today with J.Lindeberg's modern twist on a classic collar.

From Golf Digest • Mar. 16, 2018

Replicate: wings folded back upon the base; like the secondaries in Coleoptera.

From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.

Related Words

• clone
• depict
• duplicate
• imitate
• mirror
• reflect
• repeat
• reproduce
• simulate