arch. Forms: 1 twyfeald, (twiefeald, -fald, twiʓfeald, tweofeald), 1–3 twifeald, 3 twifald, -feld, 4–5 tweyfold(e, 5–6 twifolde, 3– twifold, 5– twyfold, 7, 9 twy-fold. [OE. twifeald, twyfeald: = OFris. twifald, OHG. zwifalt (MHG. zwivalt), ON. tvífaldr (Norw. dial. tvifald): see TWI- and -FOLD, and cf. TWOFOLD.]
A. adj.
1. Twofold, double.
c. 890. trans. Bæda’s Hist., I. x. [xiii.] (1890), 48. Betwih him twam we þus tweofealdne deað þrowiað, oððe sticode beoð oððe on sæ adruncene.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxxv. 238. Hu hefiʓ ðæt twyfealde [v.r. twiefalde] ʓeswinc bið.
c. 1200. Ormin, 4997. Þatt fulle lufe … birrþ ben … Twifald…; Forr þe birrþ lufenn Godd & mann.
c. 1220. Bestiary, 424, in O. E. Misc., 14. Twifold forbisne in ðis der … we muȝen finden her.
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, Q j. Her twifolde murther committed on her selfe and Telamon.
1623. Lisle, Ælfric on O. & N. Test., Gen. B ij. Adam … begat of his wife a twifold race of children.
1812. Cary, Dante, Purg., XXXI. 122. Within those orbs the twyfold being shone.
1912. Eng. Rev., April, 1. Queen of the Shadows, Maid and Wife, Twifold in essence, as in life.
† 2. fig. a. Double-dealing, deceitful, insincere: = DOUBLE a. 5. b. Double-minded, irresolute. Obs.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxxv. 244. Hwæt tacniað ðonne ða hean hwammas buton unclænu &twyfeald [v.r. twiefeald] mod?
c. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 15. Bute he bie rihtwis and naht twifeald.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 187. Ðe twifealde man is unstedefast on alle his spechen, twifold oðer manifold is þe man þe nis stedefast.
B. adv.
1. In two parts or divisions; (folded) double.
1591. Percivall, Sp. Dict., Doblegar to double, to bend twifold.
2. In two ways or respects, doubly.
a. 1619. Fletcher, etc., Q. Corinth, IV. i. Your T beard … twifold doth express the enamour’d Courtier.
