twain

Everyday

Two. It is used in old tales and set phrases. tree →

In the lessons

the old word for two, as in «split in twain»

Examples

• The rope was cut in twain. tree →
• Childe Rowland and his brothers twain were playing ball. tree →
• The door split in twain. tree →

Note

it means exactly two, so it is a count of 2, no more and no less

In Jewish tradition

An old word for "two". It appears in phrases like "the two of them" and "cut in twain", meaning cut in two.

Interpretation. In Jeremiah, cutting the calf in two is the ancient way of making a covenant. The people who passed between the pieces were saying that they should be cut apart like the calf if they broke the oath.

Examples

• He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. (Prophets 2KI.4.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• Above Him stood the seraphim; each one had six wings: with twain he covered his face and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. (Prophets ISA.6.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• And I will give the men that have transgressed My covenant, that have not performed the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in twain and passed between the parts thereof; (Prophets JER.34.18, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

it means exactly two, so it is a count of 2, no more and no less