Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of copying or making a duplicate: The process or action of creating an exact copy or copies of something.
   • The state of being duplicated: The condition where something is repeated or doubled.
   • A copy that corresponds exactly to an original: An object or item that is identical to the source from which it was made.

Usage and Examples

• As a noun (act/process):
  • The duplication of these documents is necessary for our records.
  • Unnecessary duplication of effort should be avoided in the project.
• As a noun (the copy itself):
  • This key is a perfect duplication of the original.
  • The artist created a duplication of the famous painting.

Advanced Usage

• In biology/genetics: Refers to the replication of genetic material.
  • Gene duplication is an important source of genetic variation.
• In computing/data management: Refers to the creation of redundant data.
  • Data duplication across servers can improve system reliability but uses more storage.

Variants and Related Words

• Duplicate (verb/noun/adjective): To make an identical copy; an identical copy; being identical.
  • Please duplicate this report for the meeting. (verb)
  • Keep the original and file the duplicate. (noun)
• Duplicator (noun): A machine that makes copies.
  • The office uses a high-speed duplicator for printing flyers.

Synonyms

• Replication: The action of copying or reproducing something.
• Copying: The process of making a copy.
• Reproduction: The action or process of making a copy.
• Cloning: Producing an identical genetic copy.

Antonyms

• Original: The first or earliest form of something, from which copies are made.
• Uniqueness: The quality of being the only one of its kind.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Avoid duplication of effort: A common phrase meaning to prevent wasting resources by doing the same work twice.
  • The teams must communicate to avoid duplication of effort.
• Exact duplication: Emphasizes that the copy is precise and without variation.
  • The forger was skilled at the exact duplication of signatures.

Noun

1. the act of copying or making a duplicate (or duplicates) of something
   • this kind of duplication is wasteful
2. a copy that corresponds to an original exactly
   • he made a duplicate for the files