atwain

[ uh-tweyn ]

adverb

, Archaic.

1. in twain; in two; apart.

Word History and Origins

Origin of atwain¹

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

Example Sentences

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

From Project Gutenberg

Then sang Ulenspiegel: “When my darling’s tears I see My heart is torn atwain, ’Tis honey when she laughs for me, When she weeps, a pearl.

From Project Gutenberg

Thy father hath given the cloak to me, wherefore then hast thou cut it atwain?

From Project Gutenberg

Wake ye, and hurry now, O men! get to the thwarts with speed, And bustle to unfurl the sails! here sent from heaven again A God hath spurred us on to flight, and biddeth hew atwain The hempen twine.

From Project Gutenberg

Then smitten by a sudden fear Æneas caught his blade,290 And turned the naked point and edge against their drawing nigh; And but for her wise word that these were thin lives flitting by All bodiless, and wrapped about in hollow shape and vain, With idle sword had he set on to cleave the ghosts atwain.

From Project Gutenberg