doublet

plural doublets · alternative doubtlet

1. A pair of two similar or equal things; couple.

   Synonyms: duet

2. human sciencesOne of two or more different words in a language derived from the same etymological root but having different phonological forms (e.g., toucher and toquer in French or shade and shadow in English). See also Appendix:Glossary#doublet.
3. literatureIn textual criticism, two different narrative accounts of the same actual event.
4. lapidaryAn imitation gem made of two pieces of glass or crystal with a layer of color between them.
5. USmediaA word or phrase set a second time by mistake.
6. quantum mechanicsA quantum state of a system with a spin of ½, such that there are two allowed values of the spin component, −½ and +½.
7. computingA word (or rather, a halfword) consisting of two bytes.
8. biologyA very small flowering plant, Dimeresia howellii.
9. A word ladder puzzle.
10. An arrangement of two lenses for a microscope, designed to correct spherical aberration and chromatic dispersion, thus rendering the image of an object more clear and distinct.

    The doublet generally used is that invented by Dr. Wollaston, and consists of two plano-convex lenses placed with their convex sides towards the eye […]

    1855, Hermann Schacht, Frederick Currey, The Microscope

11. Either of two dice, each of which, when thrown, has the same number of spots on the face lying uppermost.

    to throw doublets

12. obsoleteuncountableA game somewhat like backgammon.
13. broadcastingDipole antenna.
14. historicalA man’s waistcoat.

    I must comfort the weaker vessel, as doublet and hose ought to show itself courageous to petticoat […]

    c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], lines 726-27

    1 more example

    Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent, as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd: […] These sparks with awkward vanity display What the fine gentleman wore yesterday; And but so mimic ancient wits at best, As apes our grandsires, in their doublets drest.

    1711 May, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Criticism, London: […] W[illiam] Lewis […]; and sold by W[illiam] Taylor […], T[homas] Osborn[e] […], and J[ohn] Graves […], →OCLC, lines 316-19, 327-30

plural doublets · alternative doubtlet

1. A man’s close-fitting jacket, with or without sleeves, worn by European men from the 1400s to the 1600s.

   Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced […]

   c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i], line 75

   1 more example

   He was a stout old gentleman, with a weather-beaten countenance; he wore a laced doublet, broad belt and hanger, high-crowned hat and feather, red stockings, and high-heeled shoes, with roses in them.

   1819, Washington Irving, The Sketch Book, Rip Van Winkle