Duplicate: meaning, definitions and examples

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duplicate

[ˈdjuːplɪkət ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

copying

Make or be an exact copy of.

Synonyms

copy, mirror, replicate, reproduce.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
duplicate	Often used when referring to the creation of an exact match or copy of something, particularly in professional or technical settings. Please duplicate the document before making any changes. We need to duplicate this report for the meeting.
copy	Commonly used in everyday language to indicate making another version of an object, document, or other material. It's the most general term and can apply to both physical and digital forms. Can you copy these notes for me? He made a copy of the keys for his friend.
replicate	Mostly used in scientific or experimental contexts to describe the process of making exact copies, often under controlled conditions to test if results are consistent. Scientists tried to replicate the results of the original experiment. We need to replicate this model to see if it works as expected.
reproduce	Used in both biological contexts (such as organisms producing offspring) and in artistic or technical settings to describe the act of creating a similar or identical version of something. The artist was able to reproduce the painting with great accuracy. Many plants reproduce by releasing seeds.
mirror	Used to describe something that looks exactly like something else. Often used in tech and data contexts, like data mirroring, to describe identical replication. The two systems are designed to mirror each other for backup purposes. Her style seemed to mirror that of her mentor.

Examples of usage

He duplicated the key for me.
The painting duplicates the original exactly.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

copy

An exact copy of something.

Synonyms

clone, copy, replica, reproduction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
duplicate	Typically used in formal or technical contexts to describe an exact copy of something, often a document or a piece of data. Please make a duplicate of this contract for our records. The IT department created a duplicate of the database for testing.
copy	A general term used in everyday language to describe making a duplicate of an object, document, or piece of information. Can you copy this document for me? She made a copy of the key.
replica	Often used to describe a detailed and accurate reproduction of an artwork or historical object, typically for display. The museum has a replica of the Mona Lisa. He bought a replica of the vintage car.
clone	Commonly used in scientific and software contexts to refer to creating an exact genetic copy or an identical copy of software or a digital item. The scientists successfully cloned the sheep. You can clone this repository to work on the code locally.
reproduction	Used in artistic and historical contexts to describe a re-creation of artwork or artifacts that closely adheres to the original. The gallery displayed a reproduction of the famous painting. This is a reproduction of an ancient Roman vase.

Examples of usage

She made a duplicate of the document.
They found a duplicate of the missing file.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'duplicatus,' which means 'to double.'
It entered the English language in the late 15th century, primarily used in contexts involving copies or reproductions.
In the 17th century, 'duplicate' also referred to legal documents that had exact copies.

Technology

In computing, duplicating data is crucial for backups to prevent loss.
Many software applications, like word processors, have a 'duplicate' function to easily copy and edit items.
Data duplication, if not managed properly, can lead to significant issues like redundancy and storage inefficiency.

Art and Literature

Famous artists sometimes create duplicates of their works as limited editions for wider distribution.
In literature, themes or characters can be duplicated to explore different perspectives or scenarios.
The concept of a 'duplicate' can also appear in stories, where characters encounter mirror images or doppelgängers.

Psychology

Cognitive psychology explores how people might duplicate behaviors or thoughts based on social cues and imitation.
Duplication can indicate learning patterns, as children often duplicate actions they've observed.
In therapy, recognizing duplicative behaviors can help address underlying issues from past experiences.

Science

In genetics, duplication refers to a mutation where parts of a chromosome are copied, which can result in variations.
The process of DNA replication is a biological form of duplication, essential for cell division.
In ecosystems, duplicate species or organisms can affect biodiversity and the balance of nature.

Translations

Translations of the word "duplicate" in other languages:

🇵🇹 duplicar

🇮🇳 प्रतिलिपि बनाना

🇩🇪 duplizieren

🇮🇩 duplikat

🇺🇦 дублювати

🇵🇱 duplikat

🇯🇵 重複する (じゅうふくする)

🇫🇷 dupliquer

🇪🇸 duplicar

🇹🇷 çiftlemek

🇰🇷 중복하다

🇸🇦 نسخ

🇨🇿 duplikovat

🇸🇰 duplikovať

🇨🇳 复制 (fùzhì)

🇸🇮 podvojiti

🇮🇸 afrita

🇰🇿 көшіру

🇬🇪 დუბლიკატი

🇦🇿 duplikat

🇲🇽 duplicar

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,449 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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