dédoubler

split in two, divide

verb deh-doo-BLEH Rare

Also means

run as double (train)

Usage Note

Dédoubler means to split something into two parts: dédoubler une classe (to split a class in two, forming two groups). In railway vocabulary, dédoubler un train means to run a duplicate train to handle extra passengers. Se dédoubler figuratively means to do two things at once, as in je ne peux pas me dédoubler (I can't be in two places at once).

Examples

"On a dédoublé la classe pour les examens."

Natural Translation

The class was split in two for the exams.

Literal Translation

One has split the class for the exams.

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