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rep·li·cate

(rĕplĭ-kāt′)

v. rep·li·cat·ed, rep·li·cat·ing, rep·li·cates

v.tr.

1. To duplicate, copy, reproduce, or repeat: "recreating his pose for a photo that replicated his glorious moment" (Stuart Miller).

2. Biology To reproduce or make an exact copy or copies of (genetic material, a cell, or an organism).

3. To repeat (a scientific experiment) to confirm findings or ensure accuracy.

v.intr.

To become replicated; undergo replication: cells that replicate rapidly in culture.

n. (-kĭt)

A repetition of an experiment or procedure.

adj. replicate (-kĭt)

1. Duplicated, copied, reproduced, or repeated: a replicate sample.

2. Folded over or bent back upon itself: a replicate leaf.

[Middle English replicaten, from Late Latin replicāre, replicāt-, to repeat, from Latin, to fold back : re-, re- + plicāre, to fold; see plek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

repli·ca′tive adj.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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