double-wide
UK[ˌdʌb.əl ˈwaɪd]US[ˌdʌb.əl ˈwaɪd]
n
A type of manufactured home that is built in two sections and transported to a site, where they are joined together to form a single, wider dwelling.
Morpheme Breakdown
double
wide
double
twofold
wide
broad
Etymology
The term 'double-wide' is a modern American English compound, transparently constructed from two common adjectives. 'Double' originates from the Latin duplus, meaning 'twofold', which entered English via French and signifies a pairing or duplication. 'Wide' stems from the Old English wīd, a Germanic word describing a large extent from side to side. The compound's logic is entirely literal: it describes a manufactured home that is 'double the width' of a standard single-section unit, achieved by joining two transportable modules side-by-side. This practical, descriptive naming reflects the industrial and commercial context of its mid-20th century origin, directly communicating its key physical characteristic to consumers.
Analysis
Structure: double (twofold) + wide (broad)
double: From Latin duplus (twofold, double), via Old French doble. In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning 'consisting of two parts'.
wide: From Old English wīd (spacious, broad), from Proto-Germanic wīdaz. In this compound, it functions as an adjective describing the dimension of breadth.
Examples
They decided to purchase a double-wide and place it on a plot of land in the countryside.
The mobile home park has several new double-wides available for rent.
A double-wide typically offers more living space than a traditional single-section trailer.