betwixt
bih-TWIKST
/bɪˈtwɪkst/
Between.
Often used in the phrase 'betwixt and between' to describe an indecisive or middle state.
The story behind the word. From Old English 'betweoxn,' related to the word 'two.' The 'twixt' part is the same root found in 'twin' and 'twice.'
Word relationships
- between: 'Between' is the standard modern form.
Collocations
- betwixt and between
Idioms & expressions
- betwixt and between
Example sentences
- "The cottage lay betwixt the dark forest and the rolling sea." Describing a location in an old story.
Memory hook
Betwixt is like a Twix bar—there are two pieces with a space between them. Betwixt = Between two.
When not to use
Mostly replaced by 'between' in all modern contexts.
Fun facts
- It was very common in Middle English but began to fade out in the 17th century.
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