thick and threefold

thick and threefold

English

Adverb

thick and threefold (not comparable)

1. (dated, idiomatic) In quick succession, or in great numbers.
   • c. 1515–1516, published 1568, John Skelton, Againſt venemous tongues enpoyſoned with ſclaunder and falſe detractions &c.:

     A ſclaunderous tunge, a tunge of a ſkolde,
     Worketh more miſchiefe than can be tolde;
     That, if I wiſt not to be controlde,
     Yet ſomwhat to ſay I dare well be bolde,
     How ſome delite for to lye, thycke and threfolde.

   • 1692, Roger L’Estrange, “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.)”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: […], London: […] R[ichard] Sare, […], OCLC 228727523:

     They came thick and threefold for a time, as she expected they should, till at last, one experienc'd stager that had baffled twenty traps and tricks before, discover'd the plot, and quite spoyl'd the jest.