The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
duplicity \du*plic"i*ty\, n.; pl. duplicities. [F.
duplicit['e], L. duplicitas, fr. duplex double. See
Duplex.]
1. Doubleness; a twofold state. [Archaic]
[1913 Webster]
Do not affect duplicities nor triplicities, nor any
certain number of parts in your division of things.
--I. Watts.
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2. Doubleness of heart or speech; insincerity; a sustained
form of deception which consists in entertaining or
pretending to entertain one set of feelings, and acting as
if influenced by another; bad faith.
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Far from the duplicity wickedly charged on him, he
acted his part with alacrity and resolution.
--Burke.
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3. (Law)
(a) The use of two or more distinct allegations or
answers, where one is sufficient. --Blackstone.
(b) In indictments, the union of two incompatible
offenses. --Wharton.
Syn: Double dealing; dissimulation; deceit; guile; deception;
falsehood.
[1913 Webster]