Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Consisting of four identical parts or copies: Refers to something that is produced or exists in four exact copies or versions.
   • Fourfold, quadruple: Denoting something that is four times as great or as many.

2. Noun:

   • One of four identical copies or items: Any one of a set of four things that are exact correspondents of each other.
   • (often in plural: quadruplicates): The set of four such copies collectively.

3. Verb:

   • To make four identical copies of something: To reproduce or copy something so that there are four exact versions.
   • To multiply by four; to make four times as great: To increase something to four times its original amount or number.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • Please prepare the contract in quadruplicate form. (The contract should be made as four identical copies.)
  • The quadruplicate rhythm is common in this musical style. (The rhythm has four beats per measure.)

• Noun:

  • The document was signed and filed in quadruplicate. (The document was signed, producing four identical copies for filing.)
  • Keep one quadruplicate for your records and send the other three. (Keep one of the four identical copies.)

• Verb:

  • The secretary will quadruplicate the report for distribution. (The secretary will make four identical copies of the report.)
  • The new policy could quadruplicate our administrative costs. (The new policy could multiply our costs by four.)

Advanced Usage

• "in quadruplicate": A standard phrase meaning in four identical copies. This is commonly used in administrative, legal, and business contexts for forms, contracts, or reports.
  • All applications must be submitted in quadruplicate.
• Technical/Mathematical Context: Used to describe a fourfold increase or replication.
  • The experiment required us to quadruplicate the sample size for statistical validity.

Variants and Related Words

• Quadruple (adj., n., v.): The more common term meaning fourfold or to multiply by four. While similar, "quadruple" is general, whereas "quadruplicate" strongly implies making identical copies.
  • The company saw a quadruple increase in profits.
• Quadruplex (adj.): Having four parts or elements; a technical synonym, especially in engineering (e.g., quadruplex telegraphy).

Synonyms

• Fourfold (adj., adv.): Consisting of four parts or being four times as much.
• In four copies (phrase): The descriptive phrase for the noun sense.

Related Phrases

• To make four copies of (verb phrase): A simpler way to express the verb action.
  • Please make four copies of this memo.

Adjective

1. having four units or components
   • quadruple rhythm has four beats per measure
   • quadruplex wire

Noun

1. any four copies; any of four things that correspond to one another exactly
   • it was signed in quadruplicate

Verb

1. reproduce fourfold
   • quadruplicate the bill