between

be•tween

[[t]bɪˈtwin[/t]] prep.

1) in the space separating:

between New York and Chicago[/ex]

2) intermediate to in time, quantity, or degree:

between twelve and one o'clock[/ex]

3) linking; connecting:

air service between cities[/ex]

4) in equal portions for each of:

The couple split the profits between them[/ex]

5) among:

sharing responsibilities between the five of us[/ex]

6) by the common participation of:

Between us, we can finish the job[/ex]

7) in the choice or contrast of:

the difference between good and bad[/ex]

8) by the combined effect of

9) existing confidentially for:

We'll keep this between ourselves[/ex]

10) involving; concerning:

war between nations[/ex]

11) in the intervening space or time:

visits that were far between[/ex]

•

- in between,

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE betwēonan=be- be-+twēonum (dat.pl.), c. Go tweihnai two each be•tween′ness, n. usage: By traditional usage rules, among expresses relationship when more than two are involved and between is used for only two: to decide between tea and coffee. between, however, continues to be used, as it has been throughout its history, to express relationship of persons or things considered individually, no matter how many: Between holding public office, teaching, and raising a family, she has little free time. Between you and I though heard occasionally in the speech of even educated persons, is usually considered incorrect. By the rules of grammar, any and all pronouns that are the object of a preposition must be in the objective case: between you and me; between her and them. The construction between each (or every) is fully standard when the sense indicates that more than one thing is meant: Marigolds peeked between each row of vegetables.