duplicitous
duplicitous Lexical Profile
duplicitous Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Characterized by deliberate deceit, double-dealing, or speaking and acting in two different ways concerning the same matter with the intent to deceive.
"The investigation exposed the official's duplicitous behavior, showing he had privately lobbied against the very reforms he publicly championed."
Improperly uniting two or more distinct offenses, claims, or pleas within a single count of an indictment or pleading (in law).
"The defense attorney moved to dismiss the first count of the indictment on the grounds that it was duplicitous."
Word Nuance & Usage
In criminal law, an indictment or charge is 'duplicitous' (exhibiting duplicity) when it improperly combines two or more distinct offenses into a single count, without necessarily implying moral deceit.
• Rhymes for duplicitous
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 19th century from 'duplicity' and the suffix '-ous', ultimately tracing back to Late Latin 'duplicitas', from Latin 'duplex' ('double, twofold'), composed of 'duo' ('two') and 'plicare' ('to fold').