Word of the Day

: July 6, 2014

duplicity

noun doo-PLISS-uh-tee

What It Means

: the disguising of true intentions by deceptive words or action

duplicity in Context

In a shameful act of duplicity, Jerry took the money he was entrusted to donate to the homeless shelter and instead used it to buy drugs.

"Duplicity abounds in the Athenian Berean Community Players production of Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest.' That duplicity extends to the play's title, and how one chooses to read 'Earnest' will determine its meaning." - Gary L. Molina, Athensnews.com, May 7, 2012

Did You Know?

If someone's duplicity has left you feeling like you're seeing double, take heart in the word's etymology. "Duplicity" comes from a long line of "double" talk, starting with its Latin grandparent "duplex," which means "double" or "twofold." As you might expect, "duplex" is also the parent of another term for doubling it up, "duplicate." And of course, the English "duplex" (which can be a noun meaning "a two-family house" or an adjective meaning "double") comes from the Latin word of the same spelling.