dual-mode
|du-al-mode|
🇺🇸
/ˌduəlˈmoʊd/
🇬🇧
/ˌdjuːəlˈməʊd/
having two modes
Etymology
'dual-mode' is formed from the adjective 'dual' and the noun 'mode'. 'Dual' ultimately comes from Latin 'dualis' (from 'duo') meaning 'two', and 'mode' comes from Latin 'modus' meaning 'measure, manner'.
'dual' comes from Latin 'dualis' (related to 'duo') and entered English via Old/Medieval Latin and French influence; 'mode' passed into English from Old French 'mode' (from Latin 'modus'), and the compound 'dual-mode' is a modern English compound combining these elements.
Individually, 'dual' meant 'consisting of two' and 'mode' meant 'manner/way'; combined in modern usage they specifically denote an object or system that operates in two distinct modes.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a system or product that has two modes of operation (used as a noun phrase, often with a following noun: 'a dual mode system').
They released a dual-mode system that switches between automatic and manual control.
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Adjective 1
having or operating in two distinct modes; capable of functioning in two different ways.
The dual-mode device can run on battery or mains power depending on the situation.
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Last updated: 2025/11/21 05:25