adv. [a. F. autant as much.]
† 1. As much as possible, to the full, thoroughly. (Cf. Palsgrave ‘I quaught, I drinke all out, Je boys dautant.’) Obs.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., A. 179. Þat stonge myn hert ful stray atount.
c. 1430. Lydg., Min. Poems, 167. A dronken foole that sparithe for no dispence To drynk ataunt til he slepe at table.
c. 1520. W. de Worde, Treat. Galaunt (1860), 17. Talewes and talkynge, and drynkynge ataunte.
2. Naut. With every mast standing and fully rigged; with all sails set. (Also ataunto, all-ataunto.)
1622. R. Hawkins, Voy. S. Sea (1847), 52. A fayre gale of wind … so that wee might beare all a taunt.
1836. Marryat, Midsh. Easy (1863), 193. Not one soul of you puts his foot on shore until we are again all ataunto.
1867. J. Macgregor, Voy. Alone, 58. All was ataunt again, and then the two yachts started in company for a run to Dieppe.
