Obs. Forms: 4 o twynne, o tuyn, o tuynne, a twyne, a twyny, atwinn(e, 4–5 atwynne, atwin, 4–6 atwyn. [f. A prep.1 + TWIN, a. ON. tvinn ‘two and two, in pairs, two different things’; also tvinni (indecl.) two. ? Or from TWIN v. to separate: cf. ATWIN v.]

1

  1.  Away from each other, asunder, apart.

2

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 9177. Þe same oure atwynne þe wonede. Ibid. (1330), Chron., 101. Neuer þei were o twynne, vntille ded þam slouh.

3

1382.  Wyclif, Acts xv. 39. Forsoth dissencioun is maad, so that thei departiden a twyny [v.r. a twynne]. 1388 a twynny.

4

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. vii. 32. Grammer and dyuynyte ben ij. facultees at win and asundir departid.

5

c. 1500.  King & Barker, 127, in Hazl., E. P. P. (1864), 10. Owr kyng and the barker partyd feyr a twyn.

6

  2.  In two, in twain.

7

c. 1460.  Lybeaus Disc., 1962. And karf … hys hedde atwynne.

8