many a time and oft

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English

Etymology

Repetition for emphasis.

Adverb

many a time and oft (not comparable)

  1. (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 Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, :
      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, […] .

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