twin

¹

[twin]

noun

1. either of two children or animals brought forth at a birth.

2. either of two persons or things closely related to or closely resembling each other.

3. twin bed.

4. Also called twin room. a type of hotel accommodation with twin beds, for occupancy by two persons.

5. Also called hemitrope. Crystallography.,  a compound crystal consisting of two or more parts or crystals definitely oriented each to the other; macle.

6. Astronomy, Astrology.,  Twins, the constellation or sign of Gemini.

adjective

1. being a twin or twins.

   twin sisters.

2. being two persons or things closely related to or closely resembling each other.

3. being one of a pair; identical.

   a twin bracelet; a twin peak.

4. consisting of two similar parts or elements joined or connected.

   a twin vase.

5. Botany, Zoology.,  occurring in pairs; didymous.

6. Crystallography.,  of the nature of a twin; hemitrope.

7. twofold or double.

verb (used with object)

twinned, twinning 

1. to bring together in close relationship; pair; couple.

2. to furnish a counterpart to or a replica of; match.

3. Informal.,  to divide or convert into two, parts, similar items, etc..

   The old movie palace will be twinned, making two smaller theaters.

4. Informal.,  to link or combine with.

   The new grocery store is twinned with a restaurant.

5. Crystallography.,  to form into a twin.

6. Obsolete.,  to give birth to as twins.

verb (used without object)

twinned, twinning 

1. to give birth to twins.

2. to be paired or coupled.

3. to match or resemble someone or something in a specific way, and to acknowledge this resemblance: Check out these photos of moms and daughters twinning!

   They are twinning so hard right now.

   Check out these photos of moms and daughters twinning!

twin

²

[twin]

verb (used with or without object)

Scot.

twinned, twinning 

1. twine.

twin

/ twɪn /

noun

1. 1. either of two persons or animals conceived at the same time

   2. ( as modifier ) See also identical fraternal

      a twin brother

2. 1. either of two persons or things that are identical or very similar; counterpart

   2. ( as modifier )

      twin carburettors

3. Also called: macle. a crystal consisting of two parts each of which has a definite orientation to the other

verb

1. to pair or be paired together; couple

2. (intr) to bear twins

3. (intr) (of a crystal) to form into a twin

4. archaic,  (intr) to be born as a twin

5. (tr)

   1. to create a reciprocal relation between (two towns in different countries); pair (a town) with another in a different country

   2. (intr) (of a town) to be paired with a town in a different country

twin

1. One of two offspring born of a single gestation. Identical twins result from the division of a fertilized egg. Fraternal twins result from the fertilization of two separate eggs at the same time.

2. A crystal structure consisting of two intergrown crystals that are mirror images of each other. Mineral twins can form as result of defective crystal growth in response to stress from rock deformation or during magma cooling.

Other Word Forms

• twinning noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of twin¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English adjective twynne, twinne, Old English adjective twinn “twofold, double”; noun and adjective getwinn “double,” (plural getwinnas “twins”); akin to Old Frisian twīna, twīne “two together,” Old Norse tvinnr “double,” Gothic twaihnái “two each”

Word History and Origins

Origin of twin¹

Old English twinn ; related to Old High German zwiniling twin, Old Norse tvinnr double

Example Sentences

On the firm’s website, Indyke describes himself as “a devoted husband and father of twin daughters” who volunteers with dog rescue shelters.

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In Michigan, Nelson is now pregnant with twins, using the embryos she fought for years to keep.

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I steal a glance at the very empty maroon suitcase resting on my twin mattress.

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The twins were as bad-tempered and cruel as Veronika was vain and insincere.

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She frowned, and her pretty eyebrows furrowed together, like twin arches of gold.

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Related Words

• Siamese twin 
• fraternal twin 
• identical twin