I actually think that the word is quite a fascinating one in the play. Ms-mcgregor gives you a good gloss of it above, and its meaning in the prophecies scene. Yet it also comes up lots of other times, and when it does, it seems to me often to imply its opposite: that is, "doubling" something in Macbeth seems to mean that it isn't there at all.
He's here in double trust;
First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself. (1.7)
Duncan trusts "double" - he should actually not trust at all. And here's Lady Macbeth talking about how much she wants him to come to the house (she's going to murder him!):
All our service
In every point twice done and then done double
Were poor and single business to contend
Against those honours deep and broad wherewith
Your majesty loads our house... (1.6)
Later, Macbeth decides not to kill Macduff because of the prophecy that he himself can't be killed:
Then live, Macduff: what need I fear of thee?
But yet I'll make assurance double sure,
And take a bond of fate. (4.1)
This "assurance", of course, doesn't actually involve killing Macduff. It doesn't assure anything at all. And finally, Macbeth realises that the "doubleness" of the witches' advice makes it entirely useless:
And be these juggling fiends no more believed,
That palter with us in a double sense. (5.8)
Strange, isn't it?
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