thrice

Etymology

From Middle English thrīce, thries (“three times, thrice; a third time; repeated three times”),^[1] from earlier thrī, thrīe (“three times, thrice; a third time”) (from Old English þriwa, þreowa)^[2] + -es (“suffix forming adverbs of time, place, and manner”) (from Old English -es (“suffix forming adverbs”)).^[3] The word is cognate with Saterland Frisian träie (“thrice”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /θɹaɪs/
  • (UK) IPA^(key): [θɾ̪̊ɑɪs]
  • (US) IPA^(key): [θɾ̪̊äɪs]

  • Audio (US)

    (file)

  • (Canada) IPA^(key): [θɾ̪̊äɪs~θɾ̪̊əɪs]
  • (Ireland) IPA^(key): [θɾ̪̊ɑɪs~θɾ̪̊əɪs~t̪ɾ̪̊ɑɪs~t̪ɾ̪̊əɪs]
• IPA^(key): /fɹaɪs/
  • (UK) IPA^(key): [fɹ̠̊ʷɑɪs]
• Rhymes: -aɪs

Adverb

thrice (not comparable)

1. (dated) Three times.
   • 1678, John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress from This World, to That which is to Come: Delivered under the Similitude of a Dream wherein is Discovered, the Manner of His Setting out, His Dangerous Journey; and Safe Arrival at the Desired Countrey, London: Printed for Nath. Ponder at the Peacock in the Poultrey near Cornhil, OCLC 228725984; reprinted as The Pilgrim’s Progress (The Noel Douglas Replicas), London: Noel Douglas, 38 Great Ormond Street, London, WC1, 1928, OCLC 5190338, page 47:

     How far might I have been on my way by this time! I am made to tread thoſe ſteps thrice over, which I needed not to have trod but once: Yea, now alſo I am like to be benighted, for the day is almost ſpent.

References

Anagrams

• Triche, cither, crieth, itcher, rhetic