a-twain, advb. phr. arch.
(əˈtweɪn)
Forms: 4 a-twayn, 4–5 a-twene, atweyn(e, 7 atwaine, 6– atwain.
[f. a prep.1 + twain. Cf. a-two.]
1. In or into two parts; in two.
| 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. vii. 116 And pieres for pure tene pulled it atweyne. c 1485 Digby Myst. (1882) i. 540 A sharpe Sward of Sorowe shall cleve hir hert atweyn. 1634 A. Huish, Now earth's black mantle's cut atwaine. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 344 Upon a stone the ring smote, and atwain It broke. |
2. Away from each other, asunder. Cf. atwin.
| 1870 Morris Earthly Par. II. iii. 74 This bitter morn That joy and me atwain hath torn. |