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doppelganger

noun

/ˈdɒp(ə)lˌɡaŋə/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of doppelganger

A double or a look-alike of a person, often with supernatural connotations.
"The actress was stunned to meet her doppelganger at the party."

Detailed meaning of doppelganger

The term comes from the German word "doppelgänger", which literally means "double walker". The concept of a doppelganger is found in many cultures throughout history, and it can refer to a ghostly or supernatural double of a living person, or an identical twin, or a person who looks so much like someone else that they can pass as their twin.

In literature and popular culture, doppelgangers often have a sinister or ominous connotation and are often associated with evil or deception. They are often used as a plot device in fiction, such as in the novel "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson, where the main character's doppelganger represents his dark side.

In psychology, doppelganger phenomenon is known as the "other self" and it is a phenomenon that occurs when a person perceives their own body from an external perspective, as if they were looking at someone else. This can happen in certain conditions such as depersonalization disorder, or in certain psychedelic experiences.

Example sentences containing doppelganger

1. I caught a glimpse of my doppelganger across the crowded room.
2. The doppelganger mimicked my every move, unsettling me greatly.
3. People often mistake my twin sister for my doppelganger.
4. The doppelganger wore the same clothes and had an uncanny resemblance to me.
5. I had a nightmare where my doppelganger took over my life.
6. My doppelganger appeared in a photograph that I don't remember taking.

History and etymology of doppelganger

The noun 'doppelgänger' has a fascinating etymology rooted in German. It is formed by combining two German words: 'doppel,' which means 'double,' and 'gänger,' which translates to 'goer' or 'walker.' Together, 'doppelgänger' literally means 'double-goer' or 'double-walker.' The term originally emerged in German folklore, where it was believed that seeing one's doppelgänger was an omen of impending death or misfortune. Over time, 'doppelgänger' came to signify not just a look-alike or double of a person but often one with supernatural or eerie connotations. Its etymology underscores the idea of a mysterious and uncanny twin, someone who shares an uncanny resemblance but may carry an air of foreboding or the supernatural, contributing to its intrigue and mystique.

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Further usage examples of doppelganger

1. It felt surreal to meet my doppelganger face-to-face.
2. The doppelganger haunted me in my dreams, causing sleepless nights.
3. We could pass as doppelgangers, as our physical features were nearly identical.
4. The doppelganger vanished into thin air, leaving me bewildered.
5. The doppelganger's existence made me question my own identity.
6. My doppelganger was a constant reminder of how we are all connected in some strange way.
7. I found an old painting that resembled my doppelganger from centuries ago.
8. The doppelganger's presence created an eerie atmosphere in the room.
9. The doppelganger's sudden appearance startled me, making me doubt my sanity.
10. My friends jokingly referred to my lookalike as my evil doppelganger.
11. I couldn't help but wonder if my doppelganger had a completely different life than mine.
12. The doppelganger's existence challenged the notion of individuality.
13. Seeing my doppelganger on the street made me question reality itself.
14. I tried to avoid mirrors, fearing I would see my doppelganger staring back at me.