ˈduplet
[f. duple, after doublet: see -et1.]
† 1. = doublet 3 a. Obs. rare.
| 1668 Dryden Evening's Love iii. i, To throw with three dice, till duplets, and a chance be thrown; and the highest duplet wins. |
2. Physics. A pair of electrons with opposite spins, esp. one forming a covalent or co-ordinate bond between two atoms.
| 1921 I. Langmuir in Science LIV. 60/2 According to Postulate 1, the first complete layer in any atom consists of two electrons close to the nucleus. Let us call this stable pair of electrons a duplet and let us broaden the definition of duplet to include any pair of electrons which is rendered stable by its proximity to one or more positive charges. We may now state the second postulate... Two atoms may be coupled together by one or more duplets held in common by the completed sheaths of the atoms. 1940 Glasstone Textbk. Physical Chem. i. 8 Sharing of electrons occurs in pairs, each pair or duplet being equivalent to one conventional chemical bond. |
3. Mus. A group of two notes or beats; spec. (see quot. 1938). (Cf. triplet 2 c.).
| 1922 S. Grew Art of Player-Piano v. 33 We are..able to take the duplet-division of the beat. 1938 Oxf. Compan. Mus. 273/1 A duplet is a group of two [notes] or its equivalent, to be performed in the time of three. |