Being the same as another; identical, often having been copied from an original.
What is duplicate?
• In which the hands of cards, tiles, etc. are preserved between rounds to be played again by other players.
(Verb) To make a copy of.
• To do repeatedly; to do again.
• To produce something equal to.
(Noun) One that resembles or corresponds to another; an identical copy.
• An original instrument repeated; a document which is the same as another in all essential particulars, and differing from a mere copy in having all the validity of an original
• A pawnbroker's ticket, which must be shown when redeeming a pledged item.
• The game of duplicate bridge.
• The game of duplicate Scrabble.
• A biological specimen that was gathered alongside another specimen and represents the same species.
Why duplicate matters
duplicate appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How duplicate works in practice
In practice, duplicate is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.