duplex
duplex Lexical Profile
duplex Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A residential building divided into two separate, self-contained living units, often side-by-side or on different floors.
"They purchased a brick duplex in the suburbs so they could live in one unit and rent out the other."
A telecommunications or computing system that allows the transmission of data in two directions simultaneously.
"The network architecture relies on a duplex to handle heavy streams of incoming and outgoing traffic without bottlenecks."
A double-stranded molecule of DNA or RNA.
"The enzyme unwinds the DNA duplex to allow for genetic replication."
• adjective
Capable of transmitting and receiving data simultaneously across a communication channel.
"We need a duplex connection to ensure real-time audio and video synchronization during the broadcast."
Having two main parts or elements; twofold or double.
"The machine features a duplex mechanism that allows it to operate twice as efficiently."
• verb
To print on both sides of a sheet of paper automatically.
"The office software is configured to duplex all internal documents in order to save paper."
To form a double-stranded molecule from two single complementary strands (especially in genetics).
"During the annealing phase of the experiment, the complementary RNA strands will duplex to form a stable structure."
Word Nuance & Usage
In telecommunications, 'duplex' implies simultaneous two-way communication (full-duplex), which is distinct from 'half-duplex' (two-way, but alternating directions) and 'simplex' (one-way only).
• Rhymes for duplex
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'duplex', meaning 'twofold', derived from 'duo' (two) and 'plicare' (to fold).