dual meaning and definition

DUAL adjective

Definition of dual (adjective)

1. consisting of or involving two parts or components usually in pairs
   • "an egg with a double yolk"; "a double (binary) star"; "double doors"; "dual controls for pilot and copilot"; "duple (or double) time consists of two (or a multiple of two) beats to a measure"
   • synonyms: double, duple
2. having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities
   • "a double (or dual) role for an actor"; "the office of a clergyman is twofold; public preaching and private influence"- R.W.Emerson; "every episode has its double and treble meaning"-Frederick Harrison
   • synonyms: double, threefold, three-fold, treble, twofold, two-fold
3. a grammatical number category referring to two items or units as opposed to one item (singular) or more than two items (plural)
   • "ancient Greek had the dual form but it has merged with the plural form in modern Greek"