Duplicate vs. Duplicity — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Duplicate means to make an exact copy of something, focusing on replication, whereas duplicity refers to deceitfulness and double-dealing in behavior or conduct.
Difference Between Duplicate and Duplicity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Duplicate involves creating a replica or an exact copy of an original item, document, or data, emphasizing the process of reproduction without alteration. This act can be seen in various contexts, from photocopying a document to duplicating digital files. On the other hand, duplicity denotes a form of deception, where an individual or entity presents two different, often contradictory, appearances or sets of beliefs, typically to deceive or manipulate others.
The intention behind duplicating is often neutral or beneficial, aimed at preserving information, ensuring redundancy, or sharing resources without deceit. Whereas, the essence of duplicity lies in its intent to deceive, involving cunning, trickery, or breach of trust, which is inherently negative and potentially harmful.
Duplicate items or copies are tangible and measurable, with the quality of the duplication (e.g., clarity, accuracy) being a key consideration. Duplicity, however, is intangible, relating to attitudes, intentions, and behaviors that are concealed beneath an outward appearance, making it more difficult to detect and quantify.
In practical applications, duplication is a process that can be authorized and legitimate, such as duplicating a key for family use or backing up computer data. Duplicity, in contrast, is unethical and often involves a betrayal of trust, such as lying about one's actions or pretending to support a cause while secretly undermining it.
The term "duplicate" can be used as a noun, verb, or adjective, describing the action of copying, the resulting copy, or the state of being a copy, respectively. "Duplicity," however, is a noun, specifically describing a characteristic or behavior of individuals or groups engaging in deceitful practices.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of making an exact copy of something.
Deceitfulness in speech or conduct.
Intent
Neutral, beneficial, or practical.
Deceptive, harmful, or unethical.
Tangibility
Involves tangible objects or data.
Intangible, related to behavior and attitudes.
Ethical Implication
Generally ethical and often necessary.
Unethical, involving deceit and manipulation.
Usage in Language
Used as a noun, verb, and adjective.
Used as a noun to describe behavior.
Compare with Definitions
Duplicate
A replica or copy that is exactly like the original.
The artist created a duplicate of the painting.
Duplicity
Concealing true intentions under a facade.
Duplicity in his character made him unpredictable.
Duplicate
To make an exact copy of something.
She duplicated the file for backup purposes.
Duplicity
Engaging in double-dealing and trickery.
Duplicity in negotiations led to trust issues.
Duplicate
Multiplying or reproducing something.
The machine duplicates products with precision.
Duplicity
The act of having contradictory thoughts or statements.
Her duplicity confused her friends.
Duplicate
Employed to ensure redundancy and safety.
We keep duplicates of all our keys.
Duplicity
Betraying trust through deceptive actions.
The scandal involved duplicity at the highest levels.
Duplicate
Pertaining to replication and copying.
Duplicate documents need to be verified.
Duplicity
Deceitfulness in behavior or conduct.
His duplicity was revealed when the truth came out.
Duplicate
Identically copied from an original.
Duplicity
Deceitfulness
The president was accused of duplicity in his dealings with Congress
Duplicate
Existing or growing in two corresponding parts; double.
Duplicity
The state of being double.
Duplicate
Denoting a manner of play in cards in which partnerships or teams play the same deals and compare scores at the end
Duplicate bridge.
Duplicity
Deliberate deceptiveness in behavior or speech.
Duplicate
An identical copy; a facsimile.
Duplicity
An instance of deliberate deceptiveness; double-dealing.
Duplicate
One that corresponds exactly to another, especially an original.
Duplicity
The quality or state of being twofold or double.
Duplicate
(Games) A card game in which partnerships or teams play the same deals and compare scores at the end.
Duplicity
Intentional deceptiveness; double-dealing.
Duplicate
To make an exact copy of.
Duplicity
Doubleness; a twofold state.
Do not affect duplicities nor triplicities, nor any certain number of parts in your division of things.
Duplicate
To make twofold; double.
Duplicity
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.
Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he acted his part with alacrity and resolution.
Duplicate
To make or perform again; repeat
A hard feat to duplicate.
Duplicity
The use of two or more distinct allegations or answers, where one is sufficient.
Duplicate
To become duplicate.
Duplicity
A fraudulent or duplicitous representation
Duplicate
Being the same as another; identical, often having been copied from an original.
This is a duplicate entry.
Duplicity
Acting in bad faith; deception by pretending to entertain one set of intentions while acting under the influence of another
Duplicate
(games) In which the hands of cards, tiles, etc. are preserved between rounds to be played again by other players.
Duplicate whist
Duplicate Scrabble
Duplicate
(transitive) To make a copy of.
If we duplicate the information, are we really accomplishing much?
Can you duplicate this kind of key?
Duplicate
(transitive) To do repeatedly; to do again.
You don't need to duplicate my efforts.
Duplicate
(transitive) To produce something equal to.
He found it hard to duplicate the skills of his wife.
Duplicate
One that resembles or corresponds to another; an identical copy.
This is a duplicate, but a very good replica.
Duplicate
(legal) 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
Duplicate
A pawnbroker's ticket, which must be shown when redeeming a pledged item.
Duplicate
(uncountable) The game of duplicate bridge.
Duplicate
(uncountable) The game of duplicate Scrabble.
Duplicate
A biological specimen that was gathered alongside another specimen and represents the same species.
Duplicate
Double; twofold.
Duplicate
That which exactly resembles or corresponds to something else; another, correspondent to the first; hence, a copy; a transcript; a counterpart.
I send a duplicate both of it and my last dispatch.
Duplicate
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.
Duplicate
To double; to fold; to render double.
Duplicate
To make a duplicate of (something); to make a copy or transcript of.
Duplicate
To divide into two by natural growth or spontaneous action; as, infusoria duplicate themselves.
Duplicate
Something additional of the same kind;
He always carried extras in case of an emergency
Duplicate
A copy that corresponds to an original exactly;
He made a duplicate for the files
Duplicate
Make or do or perform again;
He could never replicate his brilliant performance of the magic trick
Duplicate
Duplicate or match;
The polished surface twinned his face and chest in reverse
Duplicate
Make a duplicate or duplicates of;
Could you please duplicate this letter for me?
Duplicate
Increase twofold;
The population doubled within 50 years
Duplicate
Identically copied from an original;
A duplicate key
Duplicate
Being two identical
Common Curiosities
Can duplicity be legal?
While some forms of duplicity, like certain deceptive practices, may not be illegal, they are generally considered unethical.
How can you identify duplicity?
Identifying duplicity often requires close observation of inconsistencies in words, actions, and behaviors.
Is duplication always physical?
No, duplication can also refer to digital or virtual copies of data or software.
Can a duplicate be different from the original?
A true duplicate is an exact copy, though minor variations can occur in quality.
Is duplicity always intentional?
Yes, duplicity involves intentional deceit or double-dealing.
Can duplicity affect relationships?
Yes, duplicity can severely damage trust and integrity in personal and professional relationships.
Is there ethical duplication in business?
Yes, ethical duplication, like creating backups of critical data, is common and encouraged in business practices.
How do cultures view duplicity?
Most cultures view duplicity negatively, as it undermines trust and honesty.
Is it possible to duplicate skills or knowledge?
Skills and knowledge can be taught and shared, but direct duplication is not possible as individual learning and interpretation vary.
How does technology affect duplication?
Technology makes duplication easier and more accurate, especially for digital content.
Can duplicity be a positive trait?
Duplicity is viewed negatively due to its association with deceit and manipulation.
Can duplication lead to innovation?
While duplication replicates existing items, it can indirectly lead to innovation through the spread and adaptation of ideas.
What are the consequences of duplicity?
Duplicity can lead to loss of reputation, trust, and legal consequences depending on the context.
How do businesses handle duplicity?
Businesses often have policies and ethics codes to handle duplicity, including disciplinary actions.
Can duplicates become valuable?
Yes, in some cases, duplicates (e.g., art reproductions, limited edition copies) can acquire their own value.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
