As it were

As it were
as as ([a^]z), adv. & conj. [OE. as, als, alse, also, al swa, AS. eal sw[=a], lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. als as, than, also so, then. See {Also}.] 1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden. [1913 Webster]

His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

Note: As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. ``Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do.'' --Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest. [1913 Webster]

2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet. [1913 Webster]

The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king. --Dewey. [1913 Webster]

3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke. [1913 Webster]

As I return I will fetch off these justices. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Because; since; it being the case that. [1913 Webster]

As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster] [See Synonym under {Because}.] [1913 Webster]

5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning). [1913 Webster]

We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee. --Rowe. [1913 Webster]

{So as}, so that. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic] [1913 Webster]

He lies, as he his bliss did know. --Waller. [1913 Webster]

8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations. [1913 Webster]

9. Than. [Obs. & R.] [1913 Webster]

The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]

10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] ``As have,''

Note: i. e., may he have. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{As . . as}. See {So . . as}, under {So}.

{As far as}, to the extent or degree. ``As far as can be ascertained.'' --Macaulay.

{As far forth as}, as far as. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

{As for}, or {As to}, in regard to; with respect to.

{As good as}, not less than; not falling short of.

{As good as one's word}, faithful to a promise.

{As if}, or {As though}, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if.

{As it were} (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.

{As now}, just now. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

{As swythe}, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

{As well}, also; too; besides. --Addison.

{As well as}, equally with, no less than. ``I have understanding as well as you.'' --Job xii. 3.

{As yet}, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Were the World Mine — Données clés Titre québécois Were the World Mine Titre original Were the World Mine Réalisation Tom Gustafson Scénario Tom Gustafson Cory James Krueckeberg d après le court métrage de Tom Gustafson d après l œuvre de …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Were the World Mine — (2008) is a musical film directed by Tom Gustafson, and written by Cory James Krueckeberg and Tom Gustafson. Were the World Mine is a magical story of empowerment that culminates in a touching love story inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer… …   Wikipedia

  • Were Ilu (woreda) — Were Ilu is one of the 105 woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Wollo Zone, Were Ilu is bordered on the southwest by Jama, on the west by Kelala, on the northwest by Legambo, on the north by the Dessie Zuria, on the east by …   Wikipedia

  • Were music — is an indigenous Yoruba music, which, like ajisari, is a way of using music to arouse the Islamic faithful to pray and feast during Ramadan festival in Yorubaland. Ajiwere or oniwere means one who performs were music. Unlike ajisari, were is… …   Wikipedia

  • Were — and wer are archaic terms for adult male humans and were often used for alliteration with wife as were and wife in Germanic speaking cultures (Old English were , German Wehr , Gothic waír , Old Frisian wer , Old Saxon wer , Old High German wer ,… …   Wikipedia

  • Were Babu — is one of the 105 woredas in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia. Part of the Debub Wollo Zone, Were Babu is bordered on the south by Kalu, on the west by Tehuledere, on the north by the Semien Wollo Zone, on the east by the Afar Region, and on the… …   Wikipedia

  • Were-worms —  / Were worm / Wereworms / Wereworm    Mysterious denizens of the Last Desert.    Creatures of an unknown kind, possibly mythical and presumably related to dragons, that were said to dwell in the Last Desert.    Tolkien only ever mentions were… …   J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth glossary

  • Were (disambiguation) — Were is an archaic term for an adult male human.Were may also refer to:* Mugabe Were, Kenyan legislator * Were music , a style of Muslim religious music. * A prefix, added to a given animal s name, to describe a creature which either shapeshifts… …   Wikipedia

  • Were — (w[ e]r; 277). [AS. w[=ae]re (thou) wast, w[=ae]ron (we, you, they) were, w[=ae]re imp. subj. See {Was}.] The imperfect indicative plural, and imperfect subjunctive singular and plural, of the verb be. See {Be}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Were — (w[=e]r), n. [AS. wer; akin to OS. & OHG. wer, Goth. wa[ i]r, L. vir, Skr. v[=i]ra. Cf. {Weregild}, and {Werewolf}.] [1913 Webster] 1. A man. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. A fine for slaying a man; the money value set upon a man s life; weregild. [Obs …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • were — O.E. wæron (past plural indicative of wesan) and wære (second person singular past indicative); see WAS (Cf. was). The forms illustrate Verner s Law (named for Danish linguist Karl Verner, 1875), which predicts the s to z sound shift, and… …   Etymology dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”