The phrase "doubles as" means to function as two different things at the same time. The spelling of doubles as uses the IPA phonetic transcription /dʌbəlz æz/. The "d" sound at the beginning is voiced, which means the vocal cords vibrate. The "u" sound is short and the "b" is voiced. The "l" sound is also voiced and the "z" at the end is unvoiced, which means the vocal cords do not vibrate. The "a" sound is pronounced as "uh" and the "s" sounds is pronounced as "z".
"Doubles as" is a phrase used to describe a particular object, person, or function that serves dual purposes or fulfills two distinct roles simultaneously. When an item or individual "doubles as" something else, it means that it can be used or utilized for an additional purpose aside from its primary function.
For example, a versatile piece of furniture might be described as a table that "doubles as" a desk. In this case, the table is capable of transforming into a work surface, enabling it to serve the purpose of both a regular table and a functional desk, effectively combining two functionalities into one item.
The phrase is also commonly used to refer to people who are capable of performing multiple roles or fulfilling various responsibilities. For instance, a manager in a small company may "double as" a salesperson, meaning they take on both managerial tasks as well as handling sales responsibilities.
Overall, "doubles as" emphasizes the versatility and flexibility of an object or person, highlighting its ability to serve multiple purposes or fulfill different roles effectively. It conveys the notion that a particular entity possesses the capability to perform more than what is expected or typically associated with its primary function or designated role.
The phrase "doubles as" is a combination of the verb "double" and the preposition "as".
The word "double" originated from the Old French term "doubler", which means "to increase twofold" or "to make into two". It can be traced back to the Latin word "duplus", meaning "twofold", which is a combination of "duo" (two) and "plus" (more). Over time, "double" expanded its meanings to include concepts such as making an identical copy, increasing in size or quantity, or having two aspects or uses.
The word "as" has its roots in Old English ("æs"), ultimately derived from the Indo-European word "os", which means "mouth" or "breath". It evolved to denote the role or function that something or someone assumes or performs.