† algate, -s, adv. Obs. or dial.
Also 3–4 allegate, 4– algates.
[lit. alle gate = every way: see gate n.2 Cf. ON. alla götu, and Ormin's whatt gate what way? how? The extended form algates began in the n.e. c 1300; the -s was probably analogical, after always, etc. (originally genitive). As no difference of meaning appears between algate and algates, they are not here separated.]
1. Of circumstance and time: Always, continually.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 23 Wunede mid his apostles for to þe fowertuðe dai, noht alegate, ac stund-mele. c 1320 R. Brunne Medit. 358 He bad hem algates wake and pray. 1388 Wyclif 2 Cor. v. 6 We ben hardi algatis [1611 alwayes confident]. c 1449 Pecock Repr. ii. viii. 188 We ouȝten algatis abstene and forbere. 1583 Stanyhurst Aeneis i. (1880) 20 Through thy freendlye trauaile mee dooth King Iuppiter algats Tender. 1587 Holinshed Chron. II. i. 59 These strangers in Ireland would algate now be also called and accompted Normans. |
2. In every way, any way, any how; by all or any means.
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 398 Ȝif þi luue nis nout forto ȝiuen, auh wult allegate þet me bugge hire. a 1330 Sir Otuel 69 And seide, algate he wolde preue, That Ich am in misbeleue. 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. vi, That ye algates desyre to haue a do. 1450 Myrc 1560 Algate make hym telle the. 1565 Jewel Repl. Harding (1611) 36 The Host once Consecrated of the Priest, is algates to bee receiued, whether of many together, or one alone. 1580 G. Harvey Three Witie Lett., Seeing you gentlewomen will allgates have it so. |
3. At all events, at any rate, in any case; whatever may happen.
| c 1386 Chaucer Sompn. T. 329, I deme the, thou most algate be deed. c 1430 Lydg. Bochas, That we algate shall dye bothe two. 1496 Dives & Paup. (W. de Worde) i. l. 90 Algates he wolde haue the freres on the lefte honde. 1513 Douglas æneis ii. (1710) iii. 80 Now haist my pane, sen al gatis I mon de. 1600 Fairfax Tasso ii. xlii. 47 For a space there must he algates dwell. |
4. All the way, altogether.
| 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 185 Philip now wille me faile, & alle gate wend me fro. c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 238 Which is vnknowe algates vnto me [v.r. algat, -e]. c 1449 Pecock Repr. 395 This ix⊇ trouthe is Algatis to be holde. 1596 Spenser F.Q. ii. i. 2 Una now he algates must forgoe. 1625 L'Isle Du Bartas 60 When algate the top of this Tower had raught unto the clouds. |
5. Of sequence: However that may be; yet, nevertheless, notwithstanding, after all.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 16392 Him haf algat we will. c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. 291 Although ther be difference betueen these tuo causes of drenching, algates the schip is dreynt. c 1450 J. Russell Bk. Nurture in Babees Bk. (1868) 142 Mynse hem smalle in þe siruppe: of fumosite algate be ye feerynge. 1570 Thynne Pride & Lowl. (1841) 36 Alas, quoth I, this is great crueltye: All gate, I bad them all be of good cheere. 1614 W. Browne Sheph. Pipe Wks. 1772, 22, I have a fear and dread algate. |
6. Of place: Everywhere. (This is now the common meaning of the word in the northern dialects, in which alone it survives, along with the cognate any gate, na-gate, sumgate.)