evil twin en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈivl̩ twɪn/ (General-American)
- (Australia) audio
- /ˈiːvɪl twɪn/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /ˈiːvl̩ twɪn/ (Received-Pronunciation)
Etymology
From evil and twin.
Meanings
-
(idiomatic) A duplicate or counterpart that acts in a contrary, nefarious, or insidious manner.
As a ploy to discredit the reformist politician, the opposing party had hired a lookalike to act as his evil twin and be seen in a variety of compromising situations.
...we see the flip side, the evil twin, the dark side of addition. Human nature contains both a thing and its opposite in varying degrees of tension, and so for every plus there is a minus.
2003, Peter Halstead, Sea Sun:...[he]..lived his life under [another man's name], becoming his evil twin: Staas bought and sold homes, opened bank accounts, obtained credit, married twice, and was arrested at least three times.
2004, Bob Sullivan, Your Evil Twin: Behind the Identity Theft Epidemic:
- A rogue wireless access point installed near a legitimate one for purposes of eavesdropping or phishing.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| evil twins | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Synonyms
doppelganger (duplicate of contrary or nefarious intent) · changeling (duplicate of contrary or nefarious intent) · alter ego (duplicate of contrary or nefarious intent)
Translations (4)
es gemelo malvado (duplicate or counterpart) · fr double maléfique (duplicate or counterpart) · hu gonosz ikertestvér (duplicate or counterpart) · cmn 邪恶分身 (duplicate or counterpart)