double-barrelled

English

Etymology

double- +‎ barrelled

Adjective

double-barrelled (not comparable)

  1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see double,‎ barrelled. Having two barrels, as a gun.
  2. Twofold, having a double purpose or nature.
    • 1972, Alexander Keith, A thousand years of Aberdeen:
      Alexander Taylor, a native of Stonehaven who in the later forties went to Edinburgh, where he enjoyed a double-barrelled reputation as a rhymester and as an astronomer.
    • 2011, Colin Wilson, Damon Wilson, Scandal!: An Explosive Exposé of the Affairs, Corruption and Power Struggles of the Rich and Famous, Random House, →ISBN:
      Skilling came to Enron with a double-barrelled reputation: on the one hand he was known to be a cold man with a taste for macho showing-off (Enron employees nicknamed him 'Darth Vader'). On the other hand he was said to be a genius ...
  3. (of names) Having two separate parts, often adjoined by a line (or sometimes a space), e.g. Wright-Phillips.
    • 2018, James Lambert, “Setting the Record Straight: An In-depth Examination of Hobson-Jobson”, in International Journal of Lexicography, volume 31, number 4, →DOI, page 488:
      Almost unbelievably, some authors have formed the erroneous conception that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is actually the double-barrelled surname of the dictionary’s editor.
  4. Forceful, powerful (like a double-barrelled shotgun).
    • 1945 November 6, “She trafficked in sin and souffle”, in Townsville Daily Bulletin, Queensland, Australia:
      When the sheriff arrested [Lucy Hicks Anderson] one night, her double-barrelled reputation paid off—Charles Donlon, the town's leading banker, promptly bailed her out. Reason: He had scheduled a huge dinner party, which would have collapsed dismally with Lucy In gaol.
    • 2023 November 5, Andrew Anthony, “Monsters of the road: what should the UK do about SUVs?”, in The Guardian‎, →ISSN:
      Range Rover ran an ad campaign referring to grouse shooting with the line: “There’s only one car for the double-barrelled.”

Alternative forms

Translations
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See also
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