a.
1. Born twice: esp. in classical mythology as an epithet of Bacchus (also absol.).
14[?]. W. Paris, Cristine, 333, in Horstm., Altengl. Leg. (1878), 187. As twys borne childe that were righte yonge, Twys in credelle rokkede to be.
1608. Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. III. Schisme, 909. The twice-born Preacher to the Ninivite.
1697. Creech, Manilius, II. 49. How twice-born Bacchus burst the Thunderer’s Thigh.
1856. J. B. Rose, trans. Ovid’s Met., 78. The twice-born whom with milk they feed.
2. An epithet of the three higher castes of Hindus: see CASTE 2. Also absol.
1794. Sir W. Jones, Instit. Hindu Law, ii. § 169. The first birth is from a natural mother; the second, from the ligation of the zone; the third, from the due performance of the sacrifice; such are the births of him, who is usually called twice born, according to the text of the Véda.
1841. Elphinstone, Hist. Ind., I. I. iv. 79. Every Bramin, and, perhaps, every twice-born man, must bathe daily.
1877. J. E. Carpenter, trans. Tiele’s Outl. Hist. Relig., iv. § 75. 120. The members of the three highest castes are all … dvijâ’s, or twice-born.
1908. Westm. Gaz., 7 Dec., 11/1. He was a Hindu of the caste of ‘The Twice Born,’ or ‘Regenerates’
3. Theol. That has experienced the second birth; born again, regenerate. Also absol.
1849. F. W. Newman, The Soul, iii. § 2 (ed. 2), 140. God has two families of children on this earth; the once born and the twice born.
1875. E. White, Life in Christ, II. xi. (1878), 122. Regeneration, and … the spiritual union of the twice-born with the … Lord.
1902. W. James, Varieties Relig. Exper., viii. 166. The sick souls, who must be twice-born in order to be happy.
