Duplicities

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  duplicity \du*plic"i*ty\, n.; pl. {duplicities}. [F.
     duplicit['e], L. duplicitas, fr. duplex double. See
     {Duplex}.]
     1. Doubleness; a twofold state. [Archaic]
        [1913 Webster]
  


              Do not affect duplicities nor triplicities, nor any
              certain number of parts in your division of things.
                                                    --I. Watts.
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     2. Doubleness of heart or speech; insincerity; a sustained
        form of deception which consists in entertaining or
        pretending to entertain one set of feelings, and acting as
        if influenced by another; bad faith.
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              Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he
              acted his part with alacrity and resolution.
                                                    --Burke.
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     3. (Law)
        (a) The use of two or more distinct allegations or
            answers, where one is sufficient. --Blackstone.
        (b) In indictments, the union of two incompatible
            offenses. --Wharton.
  
     Syn: Double dealing; dissimulation; deceit; guile; deception;
          falsehood.
          [1913 Webster]