Doublet Meaning
/ˈdʌblət/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA pair of two similar or equal things; couple.
nounOne 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.
Sentence Examples
Hand me the doublet.
The actor wore a green velvet doublet in the play.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor wore a velvet ____ from the Elizabethan era on stage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Hand me the ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English doublet, a borrowing from Old French doublet, from double, duble, doble + -et. Equivalent to double + -et (diminutive suffix)
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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:
"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:
"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:
"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:
"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:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The actor wore a velvet ____ from the Elizabethan era on stage.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Hand me the ____.