fourfold

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   four times as large, numerous, or great

   The laboratory reported a fourfold increase in output.

2. 2
   adj

   consisting of four parts, members, or aspects

   The committee proposed a fourfold division of the research program.

3. 3
   adv

   by a factor of four

   Demand for the vaccine rose fourfold in a month.

From Middle English fourfold and Old English feowerfeald, literally 'four-fold.' It is formed from four + -fold, an old Germanic element used to express multiplication or a number of parts. Cognates include Dutch viervoud.

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