duplex

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Word: Duplex

Part of Speech: Noun / Adjective / Verb

Definitions:

1. As a Noun:

   • A duplex is a type of apartment or house that has two levels (floors) connected by a staircase. Each level has its own rooms.
   • It can also refer to a house that has two separate living units that share a common wall. Each unit can be rented by different families or individuals.

2. As an Adjective:

   • Duplex describes a system or device that allows communication in two directions at the same time. This is often used in technology, such as in telephones or data transmission.

3. As a Verb:

   • To duplex means to change or convert something into a duplex format or style.

Usage Instructions:

• When using "duplex" as a noun, remember it can refer to both a type of apartment and a type of house.
• As an adjective, it is often used in technical contexts related to communication systems.
• The verb form is less common but can be used when discussing modifications to buildings or systems.

Advanced Usage:

• In more advanced contexts, you might find "duplex" used in discussions about telecommunications, where it refers to full-duplex and half-duplex systems. Full-duplex allows simultaneous two-way communication, while half-duplex allows communication in one direction at a time.

Word Variants:

• There are no formal variants of "duplex," but related terms include "duplexing" (the process of converting into a duplex) and "duplexer" (a device that enables duplex communication).

Different Meanings:

• In some contexts, "duplex" can also refer to printing on both sides of a piece of paper, where it is often called "duplex printing."

Synonyms:

• For the noun form, synonyms can include "two-family house" or "two-level apartment."
• For the adjective form, synonyms include "two-way" (in the context of communication).

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "duplex." However, in discussions about living arrangements, you might hear phrases like "sharing a wall," which is relevant when talking about duplexes.

Summary:

In summary, "duplex" is a versatile word that can describe a type of home, a communication system, or the act of converting something into a duplex format.

Academic

Adjective

1. allowing communication in opposite directions simultaneously
   • duplex system
   • duplex telephony
2. (used technically of a device or process) having two parts
   • a duplex transaction

Noun

1. an apartment having rooms on two floors that are connected by a staircase
2. a house with two units sharing a common wall

Verb

1. change into a duplex

Synonyms

• duplex apartment
• duplex house
• semidetached house