Notes & Queries Archive
REPLY1850

All-to brake

The interpretation given is incorrect. "All-to" is very commonly used by early writers for "altogether:" *e.g.*, "all-to behacked," Calfhill's *Answer to Martiall's Treatise of the Cross*, Parker Society's edition, p. 3.; "all-to becrossed," *ibid.* p. 91.; "all-to bebatted," *ibid.* p. 133., &c. &c. The Parker Society reprints will supply innumerable examples of the use of the expression.

Topics: Historical Language Usage, Literature