AT TWICE, adv. phr. (old and still colloquial).—On a second trial; in two distinct attempts: cf. ‘You’ve guessed it in once.’
1611. CORYATE, Crudities, I. 220. I could hardly compasse one of them AT TWISE with both my armes.
1628. MIDDLETON, The Widow, iv. 2.
| I’ll undertake your man shall cure you, sir, | |
| AT TWICE i’ your chamber. |
[?]. Ballad of Goulden Vanitee [Mrs. GORDON (quoted by), Christopher North (1862), 433].
| When he took out an Instrument, bored thirty holes AT TWICE! | |
| As they sailed to the Lowlands low. |
1860. G. ELIOT, The Mill on the Floss, iii. 3. ‘Did Mr. Tulliver let you have all the money at once?’ said Mrs. Tulliver…. ‘No; AT TWICE,’ said Mrs. Moss.
1869. A. TROLLOPE, Phineas Redux, xxv. His Grace should have … a glass and a half of champagne. His Grace won’t drink his wine out of a tumbler, so perhaps your ladyship won’t mind giving it him AT TWICE.
