I. bi-ˈtwēn, bē- preposition
Etymology: Middle English betwene, preposition & adverb, from Old English betwēonum, from be- + -twēonum (dative plural) (akin to Gothic tweihnai two each); akin to Old English twā two
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : by the common action of : jointly engaging
shared the work between the two of them
talks between the three — Time
b. : in common to : shared by
divided between his four grandchildren
2.
a. : in the time, space, or interval that separates
b. : in intermediate relation to
3.
a. : from one to another of
air service between Miami and Chicago
b. : serving to connect or unite in a relationship (as difference, likeness, or proportion)
a one-to-one correspondence between sets
c. : setting apart
the line between fact and fancy
4.
a. : in preference for one or the other of
had no difficulty deciding between the two
b. : in point of comparison of
not much to choose between the two coats
5. : in confidence restricted to
a secret between you and me
6. : taking together the combined effect of
between work and family life, they have no time for hobbies
Usage:
There is a persistent but unfounded notion that between can be used only of two items and that among must be used for more than two. Between has been used of more than two since Old English; it is especially appropriate to denote a one-to-one relationship, regardless of the number of items. It can be used when the number is unspecified
economic cooperation between nations
when more than two are enumerated
between you and me and the lamppost
partitioned between Austria, Prussia, and Russia — Nathaniel Benchley
and even when only one item is mentioned (but repetition is implied)
pausing between every sentence to rap the floor — George Eliot
Among is more appropriate where the emphasis is on distribution rather than individual relationships
discontent among the peasants
When among is automatically chosen for more than two, English idiom may be strained
a worthy book that nevertheless falls among many stools — John Simon
the author alternates among mod slang, clichés and quotes from literary giants — A. H. Johnston
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
: in an intermediate space or interval