Definition

1. Contraction:
   • Contraction of "it is": "'tis" is a shortened form of "it is," used primarily in older or poetic English to maintain rhythm or meter in speech or writing.

Usage Examples

• Contraction:
  • 'Tis the season to be jolly. (It is the season for happiness and celebration.)
  • 'Tis a pity you cannot join us. (It is unfortunate that you cannot come with us.)

Advanced Usage

• "'Tis but": an archaic phrase meaning "it is only" or "it is merely."
  • 'Tis but a scratch. (It is only a small injury.)
• "'Tis not": an older form of "it is not."
  • 'Tis not the time to argue. (It is not the appropriate moment to disagree.)

Variants and Related Words

• 'Twas (contraction): contraction of "it was."
  • 'Twas the night before Christmas. (It was the evening before Christmas Day.)
• 'Twill (contraction): contraction of "it will."
  • 'Twill be a long journey. (It will be a lengthy trip.)
• 'Tisn't (contraction, rare): contraction of "it is not" (nonstandard).

Synonyms

• It is: the full, modern form of the contraction.
• 'Tis is not directly synonymous with any other single word; it is a stylistic variant.

Related Idioms

• 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all: a proverb meaning that experiencing love, even if it ends, is preferable to never having loved.
  • She quoted the poem: 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. (She recited the line about love's value despite loss.)