prep
betwixt
bih-TWIHKST
Betwixt (prep) means an old-fashioned word for "between.". Example: “The cottage sat betwixt two ancient oak trees.”
prep
1
An old-fashioned word for "between."
"And praying to the Gods beneath, I stuck my dirk betwixt my teeth and drew my sabre from its sheath."
— Felix Hagan, Vengeance On My Mind (2011)
"The cottage sat betwixt two ancient oak trees."
How to use betwixt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA poetic or archaic way of saying "between," still surviving in the phrase "betwixt and between" (in an in-between state).
When to use it
Rarely used in modern speech except playfully or in the fixed phrase "betwixt and between."
Common pairings
betwixt and between
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The cottage sat _____ two ancient oak trees.
Etymology
From Old English betweox, from a Germanic root meaning "twofold" — a close relative of "between" and "twin."
Frequently asked questions
What does “betwixt” mean?
The word “betwixt” means an old-fashioned word for "between.". In plain terms, a poetic or archaic way of saying "between," still surviving in the phrase "betwixt and between" (in an in-between state).
How do you pronounce “betwixt”?
“Betwixt” is pronounced bih-TWIHKST (/bɪˈtwɪkst/ in IPA).
How do you use “betwixt” in a sentence?
Here is “betwixt” used in a sentence: “The cottage sat betwixt two ancient oak trees.”
What part of speech is “betwixt”?
“Betwixt” is a preposition.
Where does the word “betwixt” come from?
The word “betwixt” comes from Old English. From Old English betweox, from a Germanic root meaning "twofold" — a close relative of "between" and "twin.".
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