quadruplicate

1 of 4

adjective

1
: consisting of or existing in four corresponding or identical parts or examples
quadruplicate invoices
2
: being the fourth of four things exactly alike

quadruplicate

2 of 4

verb

quadruplicated; quadruplicating

transitive verb

1
: to make quadruple or fourfold
2
: to prepare in quadruplicate

quadruplicate

3 of 4

noun (1)

1
: four copies all alike
—used with in
typed in quadruplicate
2
: one of four things exactly alike
specifically : one of four identical copies

quadruplication

4 of 4

noun (2)

plural -s
1
: the act, process, or result of quadrupling
2
[Medieval Latin quadruplication-, quadruplicatio (influenced in meaning by Late Latin replication-, replicatio reply), from Late Latin, act of quadrupling] : a rebuttal pleading of the respondent or libelee corresponding to a common law rebutter with the original exception or answer having been followed by the replication or reply, duplication or rejoinder, triplication or surrejoinder

Examples of quadruplicate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Meanwhile, the sheer curtains came alive with layered projections — solar flares, pulsing wavelengths, images of Reznor casting ghostly echoes of himself across the gauze in duplicate, triplicate, quadruplicate. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin quadruplicatus, past participle of quadruplicare to quadruple, from quadruplic-, quadruplex fourfold, from quadri- + -plic-, -plex fold — more at -fold

Noun (2)

Late Latin quadruplication-, quadruplicatio, from Latin quadruplicatus (past participle of quadruplicare) + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Adjective

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (1)

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quadruplicate was in 1656

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Cite this Entry

“Quadruplicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadruplicate. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

quadruplicate

noun
qua·​dru·​pli·​cate
kwä-ˈdrü-pli-kət
1
: four copies all alike
—used with in
papers typed in quadruplicate
2
: one of four things exactly alike
especially : one of four identical copies
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