a-breast

I'll keep you a-breast of any developments. posted by Kerron @ 3:29 PM

Archive 2005-11-01 Kerron Cross 2005

Now the chapter I was obliged to tear out, was the description of this cavalcade, in which Corporal Trim and Obadiah, upon two coach-horses a-breast, led the way as slow as a patrole — whilst my uncle Toby, in his laced regimentals and tye-wig, kept his rank with my father, in deep roads and dissertations alternately upon the advantage of learning and arms, as each could get the start. —

The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman 2003

Owing to light airs we did not get a-breast of the city of St. Sebastian, in the harbour of Rio de Janeiro, until the 7th of the month, when we anchored about three quarters of a mile from the shore.

The Expedition to Botany Bay 2003

Then the Highlanders plunged into the water, arranging themselves into ranks of ten or twelve a-breast, with their arms locked in such a manner as to support one another against the rapidity of the river, leaving sufficient intervals between their ranks for the passage of the water.

Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745 Volume III. Mrs. Thomson

If you ain't done a rush six a-breast, and skyfoozled some dawdling old Dutch.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, May 7, 1892 Various

"We were nearly a hundred men a-breast," writes Lord George

Memoirs of the Jacobites of 1715 and 1745 Volume III. Mrs. Thomson

Whites did not so well, as they, know all the Passages to the Mountain; and that they could not, at most, march in the widest, above Two a-breast; that the Way was rugged, troublesome to climb, and expos'd them to their Fire, while they lay hid in their Ambuscades he had appointed 'em.

A Voyage to Cacklogallinia With a Description of the Religion, Policy, Customs and Manners of That Country Captain Samuel Brunt

He frequently entertained the people with most magnificent and costly shows, not only in the amphitheatre, but the circus; where, besides the usual races with chariots drawn by two or four horses a-breast, he exhibited the representation of an engagement between both horse and foot, and a sea-fight in the amphitheatre.

De vita Caesarum Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

He frequently entertained the people with most magnificent and costly shows, not only in the amphitheatre, but the circus; where, besides the usual races with chariots drawn by two or four horses a-breast, he exhibited the representation of an engagement between both horse and foot, and a sea-fight in the amphitheatre.

The Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Volume 12: Domitian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus

By a happy thought of Reginald's mother the wives walked to the grave twenty a-breast, which rendered that part of the ceremony thoroughly impartial.

Artemus Ward 1865