many a time and oft

many a time and oft

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[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene iii]:

     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, 1851, Henry Reed (editor), The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, 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 22773434:

     "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 560090630:

     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, […] .