many a time and oft
English
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Repetition for emphasis.
Adverb
[edit]many a time and oft (not comparable)
- (archaic or literary, idiomatic) Frequently.
- c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
- Signor Antonio, many a time and oft
In the Rialto you have rated me
About my monies, and my usances:
- 1798, William Wordsworth, “The Thorn”, in Henry Reed, editor, The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, published 1851, page 183:
- And all that winter, when at night
The wind blew from the mountain-peak,
'Twas worth your while, though in the dark,
The church-yard path to seek:
For many a time and oft were heard
Cries coming from the mountain-head:
- 1883, Howard Pyle, “How Little John Lived at the Sherriff’s”, in The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood […], New York, N.Y.: […] Charles Scribner’s Sons […], →OCLC:
- "How? And art thou indeed Little John, and Robin Hood's own right-hand man? Many a time and oft I heard of thee, but never did I hope to set eyes upon thee. […] "
- 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 13: Nausicäa]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, […], →OCLC:
- The three girl friends were seated on the rocks, enjoying the evening scene and the air which was fresh but not too chilly. Many a time and oft were they wont to come there to that favourite nook to have a cosy chat beside the sparkling waves and discuss matters feminine, […] .