réplica

Réplica is a term used in several Romance languages, notably Spanish and Portuguese, with several related meanings. It commonly denotes a reply or answer in speech or argument, a reproduction or faithful copy of an original object, and, in technical contexts, a duplicate of data or systems. The word stems from Latin replicare, meaning to imitate or to fold back.

As a copy or reproduction, réplica refers to a faithful facsimile of an artifact, artwork, sculpture, or object intended for display, study, or educational purposes. Such replicas aim to resemble the original closely in form and detail, while not being the original work itself. They are widely used in museums, exhibitions, education, and collectibles, and may be produced under license or with historical fidelity.

As a reply or response, réplica denotes an answer to a question, criticism, or argument. In everyday language it can describe a quick retort or a formal rejoinder in debates, negotiations, or legal proceedings. In legal contexts, a réplica is a party’s formal reply to the arguments presented by an opponent.

In computing and information technology, réplica (often written replica in English) refers to a copy of data or a system component maintained across multiple locations to improve availability, fault tolerance, and load balancing. Replication strategies are used in databases, file storage, and distributed applications to ensure resilience and consistency.

Notes: spelling and usage vary by language. In Portuguese and Spanish, accents indicate stress and sometimes nuance, while in English the term is typically written replica.