atwain

American  

[uh-tweyn] / əˈtweɪn /

adverb

Archaic.

1. in twain; in two; apart.

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Etymology

Origin of atwain

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at a- ¹, twain

Example Sentences

Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

Her looks involuntarily followed the water's stately course, which, like a silver band, cut Paris atwain.

From A Love Episode by Zola, Émile

Ah, Phrygian fates that shear my fates atwain!

From The Æneids of Virgil Done into English Verse by Morris, William

Either through the carelessness of the steersman, or because the rudder was out of order, or the sea too heavy, the rudder parted atwain, and the boat was without other help than that of heaven.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 24 of 55 1630-34 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, As Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Robertson, James Alexander

The galleys hastened to give it a tow, but some cables were snapped atwain; and their efforts were in vain, for the sea and winds prevented the work.

From The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898 — Volume 16 of 55 1609 Explorations by Early Navigators, Descriptions of the Islands and Their Peoples, Their History and Records of the Catholic Missions, as Related in Contemporaneous Books and Manuscripts, Showing the Political, Economic, Commercial and Religious Conditions of Those Islands from Their Earliest Relations with European Nations to the Close of the Nineteenth Century by Robertson, James Alexander