DUPLICITY, noun [Latin , double.] 1. Doubleness; the number two. 2. Doubleness of heart or speech; the act or practice of exhibiting a different or contrary conduct, or uttering different or contrary sentiments, at different times, in relation to the same thing; or the act of dissembling ones real opinions for the purpose of concealing them and misleading persons in the conversation and intercourse of life; double-dealing; dissimulation; deceit. 3. In law, duplicity is the pleading of two or more distinct matters or single pleas.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI