twin (twɪn
)
Definitions
noun
- either of two persons or animals conceived at the same time
- ((as modifier) ⇒
a twin brother
See also identical (sense 3) , fraternal (sense 3)
- either of two persons or things that are identical or very similar; counterpart
- ((as modifier) ⇒
twin carburettors
macle a crystal consisting of two parts each of which has a definite orientation to the other
verb
Word forms: twins, twinning, twinned
- to pair or be paired together; couple
- (intr) to bear twins
- (intr) (of a crystal) to form into a twin
- (intr) archaic to be born as a twin
- (tr)
- to create a reciprocal relation between (two towns in different countries); pair (a town) with another in a different country
- (intr) (of a town) to be paired with a town in a different country
Alternative Forms
ˈtwinning nounWord Origin
Old English twinn ; related to Old High German zwiniling twin, Old Norse tvinnr doubleTranslations
- British English:
twin
If two people are twins, they have the same mother and were born on the same day.My sister was looking after the twins.twɪn NOUN My sister was looking after the twins.
- Spanish:
gemelo
nm gemela
- French:
jumeau
nm jumelle
- German:
Zwilling
nm
- Chinese: 孪生子 n
- Arabic: تَوْأَم n
- Portuguese: gémeo nm gémea
- Russian: близнец nm
- Croatian: blizanac nm
- Czech: dvojče nnt
- Danish: tvilling nutr
- Dutch: tweeling nm
- Finnish: kaksonen n
- Greek: δίδυμος nm
- Italian: gemello nm gemella
- Japanese: 双子 n
- Korean: 쌍둥이 n
- Norwegian: tvilling nm
- Polish: bliźniak nm bliźniaczka
- Brazilian Portuguese: gêmeo nm gêmea
- European Spanish:
gemelo
nm gemela
- Swedish: tvilling nutr
- Thai: คู่แฝด n
- Turkish: ikiz n
- Vietnamese: con sinh đôi n
Usage examples
She dragged him along to the slave auction and coaxed him into buying a pair of twin boys.
, TREASON KEEP (2001)Spirit's twin , Opportunity, will reach Mars about three weeks later.
New Scientist (2004)Yesterday's twin reports were not happy news for a President who will face his campaign for re-election next year.
Globe and Mail (2003)When they uncover his secret plan to marry off two of his sons to twin girls they've never met, discord ensues.
Glasgow Herald (2001)I sometimes felt that I was lacking my own twin , my shadow.
, SUNBATHING IN THE RAIN (2002)