adv. Obs. Forms: α. 1 þriwa, ðriʓa, ðriʓe, ðria, 2 þreowe, 3 þreie, 3–4 þrie, 4–5 þrye, thrie, (4 thry), 5 thrye. β. 3 þrien, þreoien, 4 thrien. [OE. þríwa, ðríʓa = OFris. thrî(i)a, OS. thrîuuo, thrîio. Like twíwa, etc., not found outside the Saxon-Frisian group of WGer., and of obscure formation. They seem to have the form of genitival advbs., twi-a, þri-a, with the gap between i and a variously filled up by w and ʓ (again lost in ME.), and lengthened by assimilation to þrí, THREE. See further under TWIE.] Three times; thrice.
α. c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Mark xiv. 30. Ðria [Rushw. ðriʓe] mec ðu bist onsæcc.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., ibid. Þriwa [c. 1160 Hatton Gosp., þreowe] wiðsæcst min.
c. 1020. Rule St. Benet, ix. (Logeman), 38. Oðer sidon þriwa is to singanne.
c. 1205. Lay., 17432. Þrie he eode abuten. Ibid., 26066. Arður & þe scucke biurnen hit þreie a-buten.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 10056. Þer on he smot þrie þe wrecche to gret pine.
c. 1375. Cursor M., 13627 (Fairf.). Quy quarto sulde I tel ȝou mare? Twy or thry I talde ȝou are.
c. 1460. Compl. Criste, 88, in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems, 164. The devylle me tempttyd neuer but thrye, But þou me temptyst frome day to daye.
a. 1500[?]. Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.), II. 25. Or the cocke have crowen thrye Thou shalte forsake my companye.
β. c. 1205. Lay., 14338. Þenne cusseoð, heo þreoien. Ibid., 14352. Þat maide … þrien hine custe.
13[?]. Judas, 33, in Rel. Ant., I. 144. Thou wolt fursake me thrien, ar the coc him crowe.
