bəuθ adj., pron., & adv. --adj. & pron.
the two,
not only one (both boys; both the boys; both of the boys; the boys are both here). °Widely used
with of,
esp.
when followed by a
pronoun (e.g. both of us) or a
noun implying
separate rather than collective consideration, e.g. both of the boys suggests
each boy rather than the two
together. --adv. with
equal truth in two cases (both the boy
and his sister are
here; are both here and hungry). øboth ways = each
way.
have it both ways
alternate between two
incompatible points of
view to
suit the
needs of the
moment. [ME f. ON bÁthir]