A doublet can refer to different things depending on the context. Here are some possible definitions:
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Clothing: A doublet is a snug-fitting jacket that is shaped and fitted to the wearers body, historically worn by men in Western Europe from the late Middle Ages up to the mid-17th century. Doublets were originally padded garments worn under armor, but evolved into fashionable items worn over shirts and hose, with various surface decorations such as pinks, slashes, embroidery, and applied braid.
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Linguistics: In linguistics, a doublet refers to two or more words in the same language that are derived by different routes of transmission from the same source. For example, the English words "guard" and "ward" are doublets because they both come from the same Old French word "guarder", but entered English through different channels.
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Gemstones: In the context of gemstones, a doublet is a composite stone made by gluing together two thin slices of material, typically a thin layer of precious opal glued to a backing of common opal, glass, or other material. The purpose of making a doublet is to enhance the color and play of color of the precious opal while reducing its cost and increasing its durability.
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Jewelry: In antique jewelry, a doublet can refer to a type of gemstone setting where a natural gemstone crown is glued onto a synthetic or natural gemstone pavilion to create a more desirable color or shape. For example, a natural sapphire crown with poor color can be glued onto a deep blue synthetic sapphire pavilion to create a more attractive gemstone.
It's important to note that the meaning of "doublet" can vary depending on the context, so it's always a good idea to clarify what kind of doublet is being referred to.
