replicate
REP-li-kayt
/ˈrɛp.lɪ.keɪt/
To make an exact copy of; to reproduce.
Implies a high degree of precision, often in a laboratory or manufacturing setting.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'replicare,' meaning 'to fold back.' Think of folding a piece of paper to make a crease—you are repeating the shape on the other side.
Word relationships
- duplicate: Duplicate is often used for documents; replicate is used for complex processes or structures.
- originate: To create something for the first time.
Commonly confused with
- repeat: Repeat is to do something again; replicate is to make a physical copy of something.
Word family
- replication (noun): The action of copying.
- replica (noun): An exact copy of an object.
Collocations
- replicate the results
- replicate the structure
- attempt to replicate
Example sentences
- "Researchers are trying to replicate the structure of abalone shells to create ultra-tough body armor." Scientific experimentation.
Memory hook
Replicate: Re-Ply-Cate. To 'Reply' with an exact copy. A perfect double.
When not to use
Don't use for 'imitating' a style; use it for 'copying' a specific structure or result.
Fun facts
- DNA replication is the process by which a double-stranded DNA molecule is copied to produce two identical DNA molecules.
Related words
Explore more words
replication, replicable, precision, reproduce, synthetic, iterate
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