betwixtprep.adv.

/bɪˈtwɪkst/

Forms: Old English betwihs, betweohs, betweox, betwiux, betwyx, betwux, betux, ( betwuxt, betwyxt), Middle English bitwex, Middle English bitwix, (Middle English bituex, bituix, bituixs, biþwex, bytwyste, bytuixte), Middle English betwex, Middle English–1600s betwix, betuix, betuyx, betwyx, Middle English bituxst, bytwex, by-twyxte, 1500s betwyxte, betwixte, (1700s Scottish betwisht, betweesht), Middle English– betwixt, 1600s– 'twixt.

Etymology: Modern English betwixt, Middle English betwix < Old English betweohs , -tweox , -twux , -twyx , -tux : probably shortened from the dative form *be-tweoxum , -tweox(a)n ; see the betwixen prep. (Compare the shortened wolc < wolcen , also history of bitwih prep.) It is however also possible that be-tweox goes back through *tweohsu to *twiscu accusative plural neuter. Much more common in Old English than betwixen prep. In Middle English betwix seems to have been more northern, betwixen, betwixe, more southern; in the 15th cent. the loss of the final syllable of the latter finally levelled both as betwix. Already in Old English, there appeared occasional instances of betwuxt, -twyxt, with a -t, either phonetic or analogical, but having no significance. This was also rare in Middle English, but after 1500 became the regular form, except in the north, which retained betwix, in 18th cent. Scots betwish, betweesh; compare German zwischen. (Middle English had occasionally bitwixte, probably a confusion between bitwixt and bitwixe.) There is a late shortened form 'twixt.

A. prep.

1. = between prep., adv., and n., in the various senses of that word. Now somewhat archaic in literary English and chiefly poetical. Still in colloquial use in some dialects.

a. of local position. literal and figurative.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > between [preposition]

betwixt931

amidc1175

betweenc1200

itwixa1340

atwixtc1374

atweenc1400

to-tweenc1440

931 Chart. Æðelstan in Cod. Dipl. V. 207 Andlang hære~paðes; ðonne betweox ða twégen wegas þurh ðone leá.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 725 Bi-tuix þe warlau and his wijf, Adam es stad in strang strijf.

1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 18 Ouer alle þe londes bituex Douer & Tuede.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 14230 Be-twix ierusalem & þis castel..is mylis nane bot bare xv.

a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 19 She ansuered hem no thinge but bituxst her tethe.

1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII xix. §14 Peynes [= pennys] beryng lyke dyuers Rowles of Spurres betwyxte the barres of the Crosse.

1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 33 A Cottage chimney smokes, From betwixt two aged Okes.

1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 1 A right line is that which lyes equally betwixt it's points.

1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 6 He could distinguish, and divide A hair 'twixt South and South-west side.

a1758 A. Ramsay Poems (1844) 89 Betwisht twa's shoulders.

1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere iii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 17 When that strange shape drove suddenly Betwixt us and the Sun.

1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. viii. 68 If Mrs. Boffin hadn't thrown herself betwixt us.

b. of time.

ΚΠ

c1250 Laȝamon Brut 24274 Bitwix [c1205 bitwene] þis and domes~day.

c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 41 Hit bifelle by-twyxte March and Maye.

1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 78. ⁋10 Betwixt the Hours of Eight and Ten at Night.

1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun II. viii. 101 A tolerable journey betwixt now and to-morrow noon.

c. of other relations.

ΚΠ

c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 25 Hi þa þohtun betwihs heom cwæþende [Lindisf. betuih, Ags. Gosp. betwux, -tweox, Hatton G. beotweoxe].

a1300 K. Horn 345 Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie Bitwex ȝou selue tweie.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 2443 Be-twyx him and loth his neuow Of bestaile hade þai plente enow.

c1315 Shoreham 77 Thet hol assent By~tuixte man an wyf.

1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iii. xix. 211 A generall werre..betwyx oure kynge and yours.

1578 Forlorne Son iii, in Gude & Godely Ball. 31 The Father did his gude deuyde Betuix them.

1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iv. sig. Q2 Betwixt them both, they haue me doen to dye.

1607 S. Hieron Discouerie of Hypocrisie in Wks. (1620) I. 239 That great separation which shall be betwixt the sheepe and the goates.

1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea xlii. 100 Betwixt threescore and fourescore Leagues from the shore.

1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 58 You must look into the Contract betwixt him and his People.

1729 W. Law Serious Call i. 12 Can you find any farther difference betwixt them?

1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. xv. 110 They have but three legs betwixt them.

1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxiii. 55 ‘Betwixt you and me, ma'am,’ returned Mr. Bumble, ‘that's the great principle.’

1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun II. x. 116 The bond betwixt you.

2. In reference to more than two: in early use = among prep. and adv.

ΚΠ

a1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) vii. 28 Betwux wifa bearnum.

a1000 Nat. S. Greg. Ða geseah Gregorius betwuxt ðam warum cypecnihtas gesette.

c1000 Ælfric Exodus xxxiv. 10 Betweohs him.

a1300 E.E. Psalter vi. 8 Bitwix my faes al elded I.

1715 A. Pope Temple of Fame 8 I stood, methought, betwixt Earth, Seas, and Skies.

1827 T. Jarman Powell's Ess. Learning of Devises (ed. 3) II. 759 Her legacy..equally to be divided betwixt them all.

1858 G. MacDonald Phantastes 136 Betwixt grey stones on the side of a hill.

†3. betwix and, betuix and, betwixt and (probably elliptical for betwixt this and…: cf. the similar Old Norse milli ok) northern dialect: between this (or that) and…, until, till.

a. with till.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21100 He lenthid his sermon, Bituix-and til his passion.

b. with n., or prep. phr.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 17322 And þaim badd do him upp..in presune state, Bituix and eftir þair sabate.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8614 Sco slep bituixand dai.

1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 17 Dec. (1855) 129 In caice betwixt and that they get not a supplie.

1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 29 Dec. (1855) 153 It is necessar that the haile common burdens..be prepared and in rediness..betwixt and the tyme foirsaid.

c. with subordinate clause. Obsolete.

ΚΠ

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 16583 Betuix and þat [Vesp. Til] ur lauerd crist was þedir ledd.

a1300 Cursor Mundi 1437 All þat deid bi-tuix and þan þat iesus ras.]

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1103 Bituixand þei þe southe had sene.

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11074 Al þe land þat heþen lijs Bituixand [Gött. By-tuix and] þar þe sun it rijs.]

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 3763 Min hert bes neuer mar in rest Bituix and þis iacob be dede.

B. adv.

a. Of space: = between prep. 1.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > [adverb]

betweenc890

betwixta1300

mediately1620

intermediately1736

a1300 E.E. Psalter xxviii [ix]. 7 Laverdes steven of bi~twix falland low of fire.

1611 Bible (King James) Job xxxvi. 32 The cloud that commeth betwixt .

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 138 And leave a Space betwixt .

b. figurative. In an intermediate position or attitude.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [adverb]

betwixt1816

1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (cviii. 4 Annot.) 551/1 To the lowest and meanest of us, and to all betwixt.

1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III xxxvi. 21 Extreme in all things! hadst thou been betwixt, Thy throne had still been thine, or never been.

2. Of time: = between prep. 3.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals

betweena1240

amongc1275

betwixta1400

amella1425

betwixt-handsc1568

atween1595

by interims1598

betwixt-times1607

between-whiles1677

between handsc1817

between-times1907

a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13521 Noght lang bi-tuix bot alson, A-noþer he did.

1685 J. Dryden Threnodia Augustalis i. 2 With scarce a breathing space betwixt.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 19 I writ, and sung betwixt.

3. betwixt and between n. colloquial and dialect in an intermediate or middling position; neither one thing nor the other. Also as adj.: Middling, indifferent, so-so.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > absence of prejudice > neither one nor the other [phrase]

between two waters1553

betwixt and between1832

the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > mediocrity > [adjective]

feeblec1275

demeanc1380

unnoblec1384

coarse1424

colourlessc1425

passable1489

meana1500

indifferent1532

plain1539

so-so1542

mediocre1586

ordinary1590

fameless1611

middling1652

middle-rate1658

ornery1692

so-soish1819

nohow1828

betwixt and between1832

indifferential1836

null1847

undazzling1855

deviceless1884

uncompetitive1885

tug1890

run of the mill1919

serviceable1920

dim1958

spammy1959

comme ci, comme ça1968

vanilla1972

meh2007

1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. vii. 95 [He] took the lease of a house in a betwixt and between fashionable street.

1877 W. Besant & J. Rice This Son of Vulcan (new ed.) i. iv. 53 She's the fool, and he's the knave, so it's betwix and between.

1884 Point-blank III. xv. 226 There are very few who marry into our sort of set. We are just betwixt and between.

Compounds

† betwixt-hands adv. Obsolete between-whiles, at intervals, now and then.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals

betweena1240

amongc1275

betwixta1400

amella1425

betwixt-handsc1568

atween1595

by interims1598

betwixt-times1607

between-whiles1677

between handsc1817

between-times1907

c1568 Mary Queen of Scots Let. in H. Campbell Love Lett. Mary Queen of Scots (1824) App. 24 At the leist, to dissemble so weill—and to tell hym the treuth betwix handis.

† betwixt-times adv. Obsolete = betwixt-hands adv.

ΘΚΠ

the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals

betweena1240

amongc1275

betwixta1400

amella1425

betwixt-handsc1568

atween1595

by interims1598

betwixt-times1607

between-whiles1677

between handsc1817

between-times1907

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 345 Neither let him drink much nor often, but betwixt times.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online September 2021).

单词	betwixt
释义	betwixtprep.adv. /bɪˈtwɪkst/ Forms: Old English betwihs, betweohs, betweox, betwiux, betwyx, betwux, betux, ( betwuxt, betwyxt), Middle English bitwex, Middle English bitwix, (Middle English bituex, bituix, bituixs, biþwex, bytwyste, bytuixte), Middle English betwex, Middle English–1600s betwix, betuix, betuyx, betwyx, Middle English bituxst, bytwex, by-twyxte, 1500s betwyxte, betwixte, (1700s Scottish betwisht, betweesht), Middle English– betwixt, 1600s– 'twixt. Etymology: Modern English betwixt, Middle English betwix < Old English betweohs , -tweox , -twux , -twyx , -tux : probably shortened from the dative form be-tweoxum , -tweox(a)n* ; see the betwixen prep. (Compare the shortened wolc < wolcen , also history of bitwih prep.) It is however also possible that be-tweox goes back through tweohsu to twiscu accusative plural neuter. Much more common in Old English than betwixen prep. In Middle English betwix seems to have been more northern, betwixen, betwixe, more southern; in the 15th cent. the loss of the final syllable of the latter finally levelled both as betwix. Already in Old English, there appeared occasional instances of betwuxt, -twyxt, with a -t, either phonetic or analogical, but having no significance. This was also rare in Middle English, but after 1500 became the regular form, except in the north, which retained betwix, in 18th cent. Scots betwish, betweesh; compare German zwischen. (Middle English had occasionally bitwixte, probably a confusion between bitwixt and bitwixe.) There is a late shortened form 'twixt. A. prep. 1. = between prep., adv., and n., in the various senses of that word. Now somewhat archaic in literary English and chiefly poetical. Still in colloquial use in some dialects. a. of local position. literal and figurative. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > between [preposition] betwixt931 amidc1175 betweenc1200 itwixa1340 atwixtc1374 atweenc1400 to-tweenc1440 931 Chart. Æðelstan in Cod. Dipl. V. 207 Andlang hære~paðes; ðonne betweox ða twégen wegas þurh ðone leá. a1300 Cursor Mundi 725 Bi-tuix þe warlau and his wijf, Adam es stad in strang strijf. 1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 18 Ouer alle þe londes bituex Douer & Tuede. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 14230 Be-twix ierusalem & þis castel..is mylis nane bot bare xv. a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 19 She ansuered hem no thinge but bituxst her tethe. 1512 Act 4 Hen. VIII xix. §14 Peynes [= pennys] beryng lyke dyuers Rowles of Spurres betwyxte the barres of the Crosse. 1645 J. Milton L'Allegro in Poems 33 A Cottage chimney smokes, From betwixt two aged Okes. 1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 1 A right line is that which lyes equally betwixt it's points. 1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 6 He could distinguish, and divide A hair 'twixt South and South-west side. a1758 A. Ramsay Poems (1844) 89 Betwisht twa's shoulders. 1798 S. T. Coleridge Anc. Marinere iii, in W. Wordsworth & S. T. Coleridge Lyrical Ballads 17 When that strange shape drove suddenly Betwixt us and the Sun. 1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. viii. 68 If Mrs. Boffin hadn't thrown herself betwixt us. b. of time. ΚΠ c1250 Laȝamon Brut 24274 Bitwix [c1205 bitwene] þis and domes~day. c1450 (c1400) Sowdon of Babylon (1881) l. 41 Hit bifelle by-twyxte March and Maye. 1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 78. ⁋10 Betwixt the Hours of Eight and Ten at Night. 1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun II. viii. 101 A tolerable journey betwixt now and to-morrow noon. c. of other relations. ΚΠ c975 Rushw. Gosp. Matt. xxi. 25 Hi þa þohtun betwihs heom cwæþende [Lindisf. betuih, Ags. Gosp. betwux, -tweox, Hatton G. beotweoxe]. a1300 K. Horn 345 Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie Bitwex ȝou selue tweie. a1300 Cursor Mundi 2443 Be-twyx him and loth his neuow Of bestaile hade þai plente enow. c1315 Shoreham 77 Thet hol assent By~tuixte man an wyf. 1489 W. Caxton tr. C. de Pisan Bk. Fayttes of Armes iii. xix. 211 A generall werre..betwyx oure kynge and yours. 1578 Forlorne Son iii, in Gude & Godely Ball. 31 The Father did his gude deuyde Betuix them. 1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. iv. sig. Q2 Betwixt them both, they haue me doen to dye. 1607 S. Hieron Discouerie of Hypocrisie in Wks. (1620) I. 239 That great separation which shall be betwixt the sheepe and the goates. 1622 R. Hawkins Observ. Voiage South Sea xlii. 100 Betwixt threescore and fourescore Leagues from the shore. 1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 58 You must look into the Contract betwixt him and his People. 1729 W. Law Serious Call i. 12 Can you find any farther difference betwixt them? 1779 J. Moore View Society & Manners France (1789) I. xv. 110 They have but three legs betwixt them. 1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist II. xxiii. 55 ‘Betwixt you and me, ma'am,’ returned Mr. Bumble, ‘that's the great principle.’ 1860 N. Hawthorne Marble Faun II. x. 116 The bond betwixt you. 2. In reference to more than two: in early use = among prep. and adv. ΚΠ a1000 West Saxon Gospels: Luke (Corpus Cambr.) vii. 28 Betwux wifa bearnum. a1000 Nat. S. Greg. Ða geseah Gregorius betwuxt ðam warum cypecnihtas gesette. c1000 Ælfric Exodus xxxiv. 10 Betweohs him. a1300 E.E. Psalter vi. 8 Bitwix my faes al elded I. 1715 A. Pope Temple of Fame 8 I stood, methought, betwixt Earth, Seas, and Skies. 1827 T. Jarman Powell's Ess. Learning of Devises (ed. 3) II. 759 Her legacy..equally to be divided betwixt them all. 1858 G. MacDonald Phantastes 136 Betwixt grey stones on the side of a hill. †3. betwix and, betuix and, betwixt and (probably elliptical for betwixt this and…: cf. the similar Old Norse milli ok) northern dialect: between this (or that) and…, until, till. a. with till. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 21100 He lenthid his sermon, Bituix-and til his passion. b. with n., or prep. phr. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 17322 And þaim badd do him upp..in presune state, Bituix and eftir þair sabate. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 8614 Sco slep bituixand dai. 1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 17 Dec. (1855) 129 In caice betwixt and that they get not a supplie. 1640 in J. Nicholson Minute Bk. War Comm. Covenanters Kirkcudbright 29 Dec. (1855) 153 It is necessar that the haile common burdens..be prepared and in rediness..betwixt and the tyme foirsaid. c. with subordinate clause. Obsolete. ΚΠ a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 16583 Betuix and þat [Vesp. Til] ur lauerd crist was þedir ledd. a1300 Cursor Mundi 1437 All þat deid bi-tuix and þan þat iesus ras.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1103 Bituixand þei þe southe had sene. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 11074 Al þe land þat heþen lijs Bituixand [Gött. By-tuix and] þar þe sun it rijs.] a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 3763 Min hert bes neuer mar in rest Bituix and þis iacob be dede. B. adv. 1. a. Of space: = between prep. 1. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > condition or fact of being interjacent > [adverb] betweenc890 betwixta1300 mediately1620 intermediately1736 a1300 E.E. Psalter xxviii [ix]. 7 Laverdes steven of bi~twix falland low of fire. 1611 Bible (King James) Job xxxvi. 32 The cloud that commeth betwixt . View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 138 And leave a Space betwixt . View more context for this quotation b. figurative. In an intermediate position or attitude. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > compromise > [adverb] betwixt1816 1659 H. Hammond Paraphr. & Annot. Psalms (cviii. 4 Annot.) 551/1 To the lowest and meanest of us, and to all betwixt. 1816 Ld. Byron Childe Harold: Canto III xxxvi. 21 Extreme in all things! hadst thou been betwixt, Thy throne had still been thine, or never been. 2. Of time: = between prep. 3. ΘΚΠ the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals betweena1240 amongc1275 betwixta1400 amella1425 betwixt-handsc1568 atween1595 by interims1598 betwixt-times1607 between-whiles1677 between handsc1817 between-times1907 a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13521 Noght lang bi-tuix bot alson, A-noþer he did. 1685 J. Dryden Threnodia Augustalis i. 2 With scarce a breathing space betwixt. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals v, in tr. Virgil Wks. 19 I writ, and sung betwixt. 3. betwixt and between n. colloquial and dialect in an intermediate or middling position; neither one thing nor the other. Also as adj.: Middling, indifferent, so-so. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > judgement or decision > absence of prejudice > neither one nor the other [phrase] between two waters1553 betwixt and between1832 the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > mediocrity > [adjective] feeblec1275 demeanc1380 unnoblec1384 coarse1424 colourlessc1425 passable1489 meana1500 indifferent1532 plain1539 so-so1542 mediocre1586 ordinary1590 fameless1611 middling1652 middle-rate1658 ornery1692 so-soish1819 nohow1828 betwixt and between1832 indifferential1836 null1847 undazzling1855 deviceless1884 uncompetitive1885 tug1890 run of the mill1919 serviceable1920 dim1958 spammy1959 comme ci, comme ça1968 vanilla1972 meh2007 1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. vii. 95 [He] took the lease of a house in a betwixt and between fashionable street. 1877 W. Besant & J. Rice This Son of Vulcan (new ed.) i. iv. 53 She's the fool, and he's the knave, so it's betwix and between. 1884 Point-blank III. xv. 226 There are very few who marry into our sort of set. We are just betwixt and between. Compounds † betwixt-hands adv. Obsolete between-whiles, at intervals, now and then. ΘΚΠ the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals betweena1240 amongc1275 betwixta1400 amella1425 betwixt-handsc1568 atween1595 by interims1598 betwixt-times1607 between-whiles1677 between handsc1817 between-times1907 c1568 Mary Queen of Scots Let. in H. Campbell Love Lett. Mary Queen of Scots (1824) App. 24 At the leist, to dissemble so weill—and to tell hym the treuth betwix handis. † betwixt-times adv. Obsolete = betwixt-hands adv. ΘΚΠ the world > time > [adverb] > in the interval or at intervals betweena1240 amongc1275 betwixta1400 amella1425 betwixt-handsc1568 atween1595 by interims1598 betwixt-times1607 between-whiles1677 between handsc1817 between-times1907 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 345 Neither let him drink much nor often, but betwixt times. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1887; most recently modified version published online September 2021). < prep.adv.931
随便看	muck-coup muck-crome muck-drag muck-fork muck-hack muck-headed muck-heap muck-heaping muck-heapy muck-hearted muck-hook muck-shifter muck-shifting muck-shoveller muck-shovelling muck-silver muck-snipe muck-spout muck-spreader muck-spreading muck-sprung muck-swamp muck-up muck-up day muck-wet