'twas en · X
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /twʌz/ (General-American, US)
- /twɒz/ (Received-Pronunciation, UK)
Meanings
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(abbreviation, alt-of, archaic, contraction, poetic) Contraction of it + was, often at the beginning of a line.
alt of it
'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.
1913, Joseph C[rosby] Lincoln, chapter I, in Mr. Pratt’s Patients, New York, N.Y.; London: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC:’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, / […]
1779, John Newton, Amazing Grace:’Twas the night before Christmas, […]
1823, perhaps Clement Clarke Moore, A Visit from St. Nicholas:’Twas the first of many feats so great, A legend through and through. We sing of him, Artorigus, the Noble and the brave.
2012 May 8, “Noble Knight Artorigus”, in Galactic Overlord, Konami:’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; / […]
1871, Lewis Carroll, “Jabberwocky”, in Through the Looking-Glass:’Twas the Night Before Christmas
Antonyms
Relateds
'twere · 'twou'd · 'twon't · 'twill · 'twou'dn't · 'tshall · 'tis · 'twouldn't · 'twould · 'tisn't · it'll · 'tweren't