twofoldadj.n.adv.
/ˈtuːfəʊld/, U.S. /ˈtuˌfoʊld/ A. adj. (and n.)† 1. Double (in figurative sense); double-minded, wavering. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > [adjective]
twiredec888
orrathc1175
twofoldc1175
twifoldc1200
waveringc1315
uncertain1382
suspensec1440
mammeringa1450
flowing?1504
floghtering1521
vacillant1521
in a mammering1532
double-minded1552
unstaid1561
unresolute1570
unresolved?1571
staggeringa1577
frittle1579
irresolute1579
cheverel1583
off and on1583
halting1585
unsettleda1593
unresolving1599
demurring1607
waving1611
suspensive1614
hoveringa1616
startling1619
irresolved1621
hesitating1622
indetermined1628
variousa1643
branling1645
hesitant1647
non-sincere1656
hesitatious1657
humdrum1660
shuttlecock1660
yea-and-nay1672
swaying1688
interpendent1708
undetermined1718
Squadronec1720
hesitatorya1734
volanta1734
shilly-shally1734
dilly-dally1749
niffy-naffy1765
wiggle-waggle1778
undecided1779
undecisive1780
indecisive1787
conflicted1789
hesitative1795
undeciding1802
vacillating1814
yea-nay1827
demurrant1836
willy-nilly1839
shilly-shallying1842
oscillative1852
Hamletish1854
vacillatory1854
dilly-dallying1879
thistledown1897
weak-principled1913
not-quite1920
off-again on-again1923
dithery1931
havering1975
c1175 Lamb Hom. 151 Anfald oðer twafald is ech mon... Þe twafalde Mon is unstaþelfest on alle his weies.
2.
a. Consisting of two folds or layers.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > [adjective] > folded in two or three
twofold?c1225
three-double?1541
twofolded1887
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 40 Þe clað in ham beo twaifold.
b. Folded or bent double. (Cf. B. 1) Scottish.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of bending > [adjective] > double
doubled1655
twofold1821
1821 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Jan. 402/1 My auld auntie, wha's twafauld with the rheumatics.
3. Consisting of two combined; composed of two parts or elements; existing in two relations or manners; of two kinds; double, dual.
a. in abstract or general sense.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > duality > [adjective]
twifoldc890
twinc1000
double?c1225
tway-fold1303
doublefold1382
twain1398
twin-kina1400
twinlepia1400
four-eared1514
twofold1559
bifold1590
duplar1610
binal?c1640
dual1655
binarious1656
binary system1766
dualistic1832
double-barrelled1837
twinfold1842
1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 17 I finde a twofoulde difference betwixt a sphere, and a circle.
1610 P. Holland tr. W. Camden Brit. i. 102 A twofold victory.
1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 321 The Object of the Divine Will..is Two-fold, either the Object of his Will Decreeing, or the Object of his Will Commanding.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth I. 399 The earth..seen with its twofold motion; producing, by the one, the change of seasons; and, by the other, the..vicissitudes of day and night.
1875 A. Helps Self-discipline in Ess. 19 Man, a creature of twofold nature, body and soul.
b. in concrete sense, of material objects.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > duality > [adjective] > composed of two constituents
twin1584
twiform1607
twofolda1616
twindle1636
twi-natured1868
twi-shaped1875
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. i. 137 Some..That two-fold Balles, and trebble Scepters carry. View more context for this quotation
1718 M. Prior Poems Several Occasions (new ed.) 305 Ewes, that erst brought forth but single Lambs, Now drop'd their Two-fold Burdens.
1794 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) I. 379 Two three-fold blocks, and two two-fold blocks.
1888 Lady 25 Oct. 374/3 The two-fold [photograph] screens with..space for panel portraits.
4. Double in amount; twice as great.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > multiplication by two > [adjective]
doublec1305
ydoubled1340
doubledc1430
redoubled1540
duple1542
duplicate1548
duplat?1553
reduplicated1598
reduplicate?1609
ingeminate1637
duplicated1643
ingeminated1658
twofold1812
double-banked1929
1812 G. Crabbe Tales xii. 217 More charming grew the Fair, And seem'd to watch him with a two-fold care.
1873 B. Stewart Conservation of Energy iii. 49 The double system will now attract the single system with twofold force.
5.
a. Of yarn: Consisting of two strands twisted into one.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [adjective] > multiply
grandrelle1856
twofold1880
multi-ply1926
multifilament1937
1880 Daily News 7 Dec. 2/8 Two-fold yarns are rather more in request.
1883 Daily News 22 Oct. 7/1 Two-fold yarns..command improved rates more readily than single wefts.
1894 Daily News 20 Mar. 7/3 The trade in twofold yarns shows some improvement.
b. as n. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > spun > in specific way > twisted
twinec725
twine thread1530
twist1555
throw1873
twofold1884
1884 W. S. B. McLaren Spinning Woollen & Worsted (ed. 2) 239 Twisting two or more threads together that have already been each made into two-fold.
1888 Daily News 25 Sept. 2/5 Transactions in twofolds and singles are still somewhat restricted.
1895 Daily News 3 Feb. 2/5 Twofold spinners are getting more work.
1910 Encycl. Brit. VII. 277/1 [article Cotton] 40s mule, water twists and twofolds.
B. adv.
1. In two folds; so as to be folded or doubled. Chiefly Scottish of persons.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > [adverb] > in two folds
twofoldc1394
the world > space > relative position > posture > action or fact of bending > [adverb] > bent double
twofoldc1394
c1394 P. Pl. Crede 516 Þe glose is so greit in gladding tales, þat turneþ vp two-folde vnteyned opon trewþe.
c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xxxii. 5595 A stane..has hym ourtane, And twa faulde [v.r. twafald] downe can him bere.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xxviii Bynde a clothe two or thre folde vpon his forheed.
1721 A. Ramsay Ode to Ph—— ix Before auld age..lay ye twafald o'er a rung.
a1802 Johnie of Breadislee xviii, in W. Scott Min. He's laid him twa-fald ower his steed.
1894 ‘I. Maclaren’ Highland Mystic in Beside Bonnie Brier Bush i He wes bent twa fad; a' doot it's a titch o' rheumatism, or maybe lumbago.
2. To twice the amount, twice as much, doubly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > multiplication by two > [adverb]
twoc900
twifoldlyc1000
twice1308
doublyc1380
doublec1384
twicea1398
twice-told1430
twofold1526
twifolda1640
duplicately1660
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. xxiii. f. xxxijv Ye make hym two folde more the chylde off hell, then ye youre selves are.
1637 G. Gillespie Dispute against Eng.-Popish Ceremonies ii. i. 6 It twofolde more scandalizeth such a one.
Derivatives
ˈtwofoldly adv. (also twafaldeliche) in a twofold manner, doubly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > duality > [adverb]
twofoldlyc1175
twifold1591
dually1650
dualistically1857
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 5 Nu ic eou habbe þet godspel iseid anfaldeliche, nu scule ȝe understonden twafaldeliche þet hit bi-tacnet.
1648 H. Hexham Groot Woorden-boeck Tweevoudighlick, two-foldly, or Doubly.
ˈtwofoldness n. the quality of being twofold, doubleness, duality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > two > duality > [noun]
doublenessa1398
duality1532
duplicity1589
biformity1611
duity1645
twoness1648
dualism1833
twofoldnessa1834
duplexity1856
a1834 S. T. Coleridge Lit. Remains (1839) IV. 310 The twofoldness of the Christian Church.
1861 W. Barnes in Macmillan's Mag. June 128 That we should have two legs, or two hands,..this twofoldness of life-forms.
twoˈfolded adj. [ < two adj., n., and adv. + folded adj.] folded in two, folded double.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > folding or folded condition > [adjective] > folded in two or three
twofold?c1225
three-double?1541
twofolded1887
1887 W. Morris tr. Homer Odyssey I. xii. 227 Wrapping it round two~folded.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.n.adv.c1175