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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

'twere en · X

Pronunciation

  • (Southern-England) audio

Meanings

  1. (abbreviation, alt-of, archaic, contraction, literary) Contraction of it + were.
    alt of it
    • You drink wine as 'twere water!
    • I had been glad if 'twere us but not them.
    • To know my deed, 'twere best not know myself. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
    • Then he came down rejoicing and said, "I have seen what seemeth to be a city as 'twere a pigeon." 1885–1888, Richard F[rancis] Burton, transl. and editor, “Night 17”, in A Plain and Literal Translation of the Arabian Nights’ Entertainments, now Entituled The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night […], Shammar edition, volume (please specify the volume), [London]: […] Burton Club […], →OCLC:

Relateds

'twas