reduplicate

[ verb ri-doo-pli-keyt, -dyoo-; adjective ri-doo-pli-kit, -keyt, -dyoo- ]

verb (used with object)

, re·du·pli·cat·ed, re·du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to double; repeat.
2. Grammar. to form (a derivative or inflected form) by doubling a specified syllable or other portion of the primitive, sometimes with fixed modifications, as in Greek léloipa “I have left,” leípo “I leave.”

verb (used without object)

, re·du·pli·cat·ed, re·du·pli·cat·ing.

1. to become doubled.
2. Grammar. to become reduplicated.

adjective

1. doubled.

reduplicate

verb

1. to make or become double; repeat
2. to repeat (a sound or syllable) in a word or (of a sound or syllable) to be repeated, esp in forming inflections in certain languages

adjective

1. doubled or repeated
2. (of petals or sepals) having the margins curving outwards

Derived Forms

• reˈduplicative, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reduplicate¹

1560–70; < Late Latin reduplicātus (past participle of reduplicāre ), equivalent to Latin re- re- + duplic ( āre ) to double + -ātus -ate ¹ ( duplicate )

Example Sentences

In the Mœso-Gothic, however, there was a true reduplicate form; in other words, a perfect tense as well as an aorist.

From Project Gutenberg

The reduplicate form, in other words, the perfect tense, is current in none of the Gothic languages except the Mœso-Gothic.

From Project Gutenberg

There are good grounds for believing that in the word did we have a single instance of the old reduplicate prterite.

From Project Gutenberg

The first is formed by a reduplication of the initial τ, and, consequently, may be called the reduplicate form.

From Project Gutenberg

Reduplicate, a rarer modification of valvate, is similar but with margins projecting outward.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• act like
• ape
• assume
• duplicate
• echo
• emulate
• impersonate
• mimic
• mirror
• mock
• pretend
• replicate
• reproduce
• resemble
• simulate