▪ I. as, adv. (conj., and rel. pron.)
(æz, əz)
Forms: 1–3 allswá, al-swá, (WS. 1–2 ealswá). North. 2–6 alswa (alsua), 4–5 alsa, alse, 4–7 als, 4– as. Midl. 3–4 alswo, alsuo, 3–6 also, 4–6 alse, als, 3– as, (4–5 os). South. 2–3 alse, 2–4 ase, 2– as.
[A worn-down form of all-so, OE. all-swá ‘wholly so, quite so, just so,’ which in its simple demonstrative use remains dissyllabic (see also), but as a relative and antecedent has been phonetically weakened through alswá, alsa, alse, als, as, and alswá, alswo, also, alse, ase, as, to (æz). This phonetic weakening, in each of its successive stages, began with the relative sense, whence it extended to the other senses: even the weak demonstrative was reduced in north. dial. to als, but remains also in standard Eng. The correlation in ‘the colour is as bright as gold,’ where the first as is demonstrative or antecedent, and the second relative, ‘in that degree bright, in which degree gold (is bright),’ was originally expressed by so—so, OE. ‘swá beorht swá gold’; but the antecedent or principal form was also strengthened by all, ‘all swá beorht swá gold’; constructions which long survived in the south, as ‘sō briht sŏ (se) gold,’ and ‘al sŏ (alse) briht sŏ (se) gold.’ The prefixed all, though originally emphatic (= altogether, quite, even), soon lost its force, and al-swá, al-so came to imply no more than the simple swá, sō. Hence, by 1200 (in the north) alswa had begun to appear in the subordinate clause likewise, ‘alswa brihht alswa gold,’ a construction soon generally adopted, though almost always with the relative in a phonetically weaker form than the antecedent, e.g. ‘alswa briht alse gold, also briht alse gold, alse briȝt ase gold, als bricht as gold,’ but finally with both correlatives worn down, ‘as bright as gold.’ Alse, ase, as was even substituted as the relative, when the original swá, so remained as the antecedent, whence the mod. ‘not so bright as gold,’ OE. ná swá beorht swá gold, 13th c. southern Eng. ‘nowht so briht sŏ (se) gold,’ and ‘nowht so briht alse (ase) gold.’
With the wearing down of al-so to as, cf. mod.Ger. also, als, in ‘also bald als er kam’ = ME. ‘all-so sone als he com,’ mod. ‘as soon as he came.’
With many common adjectives and adverbs as (als, etc.) was formerly written in combination, especially in idiomatic constructions, e.g. asmuch, aswell, asfaste, assoon, astite; relics of this survive in forasmuch, inasmuch, whereas.]
The uses of as are here considered, A. in the main sentence, B. in the subordinate sentence, C. in phrases. At the end of B. are some phraseological combinations originating in ellipsis.
A. In a main sentence, as Antecedent or Demonstrative Adverb.
† I. With so in the relative clause. Obs.
As (alswa, also, alse, als, ase){ddd}so (swa, so, se).
† 1. Of quantity or degree: In that degree, to such extent{ddd}(in or to which){ddd}Obs.
| a 1000 ælfric Hom. in Thorpe Anal. 61 Seo beorhtnys is ealswá eald swá þæt f{yacu}r. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 157 Alse raðe se he walde. 1205 Lay. 9968 Al swa longe swa þe woreld stondeð. c 1300 K. Alis. 395 Al so ofte so he wolde. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 2329 Ase loude so he..miȝte{revsc} to ys men criede he there. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. viii. 232 A court as cleer so þe sonne. 1450 Myrc 394 Þenne schale þe husbonde als blyue Teche & preche so hys wyue. 1532 Dice Play (1850) 13 Not always as well so I would wish. |
† 2. Of quality or manner: In that way, in such wise{ddd}(in which){ddd}Obs.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 25 Al swa he doð swa þe swica. Ibid. 159 Alswa se þe sunne drach up þene deu. c 1200 Ormin Ded. 281 And all all swa se Godes Lamb..mihhte. |
II. With as also in the relative clause:
As (alswa, also, alsa, alse, als, ase, as){ddd}as (alswa, etc.).
3. Of quantity: In that degree; to that extent{ddd}(in or to which){ddd} Expressing the Comparative of Equality: as good as gold; as wise as fair; as strong as ever; as soon as you can; and in innumerable proverbial similes, as black as jet, as brave as a lion, etc.
| c 1175 Cott. Hom. 239 Alse lange alse ȝé lefede &..alse longe as {iacu}c lefie. c 1220 Hali Meid. 5 Syon [is] ase muchel on englische leodene ase heh sihðe. a 1300 Cursor M. 823 Als fast als þai had don þat sinne. Ibid. 7526 Þar he stod als still os stake. c 1314 Guy Warw. 87 Also litel als he may. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 984 Al-so salt as ani se. c 1325 Cœur de L. 2524 Alsoo faste As quarrel off the arweblast. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. iv. 195 Als longe as owre lyf lasteth. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 287 Al so lene was his hors as is a rake. c 1420 Amadace xli, Als gay Als any erliche mon. c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. 165 Alsa frely as before. 1485 Caxton Paris & V. (1868) 63 Also sick as she was. 1530 Sarum Man. in Maskell Mon. Rit. II. 295 Alse often as thei be..required. 1583 Stubbes Anat. Abus. ii. 10 As round as a ball. 1588 A. King Canisius' Catech. 111 Als far as apperteins to y⊇ office. 1608 R. Armin Nest Ninn. 11 He was as dead as a doore nayle. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome Alex. iii. 504 He was as covetous as cruel. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 155 ¶5 As busy as possible. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 275 He used it, as far as he dared. 1879 Black Macleod of D. xxvi, He was as mad as a hatter about her. |
† 4. Of quality: In that very way, in such wise{ddd}(in which){ddd}Obs.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 153 He his sunnen undeð..alswa alse he heom haueð idon. c 1230 Ancr. R. 36 And eft biginneð..also, ase er. 1340 Ayenb. 137 Alsuo ase þe zoþe milde hereþ þe oþre..alsuo he blameþ him zelve. |
III. With relative clause wanting.
5. In qualifications of degree (cf. 3) the relative clause may be elliptically absent, especially where it expresses: a. ‘as that or those just mentioned.’ Here, as in the principal sentence may be rendered by equally.
| c 1386 Chaucer Knt.'s T. 339 And he loved him as tendurly agayn. c 1400 Destr. Troy ix. 4125 Kyng Sapmon..With als⁓mony abill shippes auntrid hym seluyn. 1509 Barclay Shyp of Folys (1874) II. 81 Thoughe he be good, yet other ar als bad. 1551 Turner Herbal (1568) 119 Galene sayeth that clinopodium is hote and dry in the thyrde degre, but our clinopodium is not al so hote. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 113 ¶4 Chance has..thrown me very often in her way, and she as often has directed a Discourse to me. Mod. ‘Come forward.’ ‘Thank you! I hear quite as well where I am.’ |
b. ‘as not,’ ‘as the opposite course,’ ‘as anything else’; e.g. in as lief, as soon (as not). as good, as well: See C. phrases.
| 1775 Sheridan Rivals v. iii, I'd as lieve let it alone. |
c. ‘as can be imagined,’ ‘as may be,’ ‘as possible,’ cf. L. quam in quam maximum, etc. Esp. in as-fast, as soon, as-tite, alswithe, q.v.
B. In a subordinate sentence, as a Relative or Conjunctive Adverb, introducing a clause which expresses I. II. the mode (manner and degree), whence also III. the time, place, IV. reason, V. purpose, result, of the principal sentence; passing into VI. a relative pronoun, a relative particle, VII. a merely subordinating conjunction, and VIII. a limiting or restrictive particle.
I. Of quantity or degree. (Preceded by adj. or adv.)
1. a. With antecedent as (alswa, alswo, also, alse, als, etc.):{ddd}in which degree, to what extent. Expressing with antecedent as, the Comparative of Equality.
[See A. II. 3, all the quotations for which also illustrate this.]
b. Expressing a comparison with a hypothetical fact or state expressed by the subjunctive: As if, as though. (Cf. 9.) arch.
| 1366 Mandeville, As wel as thei had ben of the same Contree. 1399 Langl. Rich. Redeless iii. 46 Thanne cometh þer a congioun..As not of his nolle as he þe nest made. c 1590 Marlowe Jew Malta i. i. 59 Will serve as well as I were present there. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc v. 325 As certain of success As he had made a league with Victory. |
2. With antecedent so (swa, swo) in the same sense as 1. a. esp. in negative sentences.
| c 1220 Ureisun in Cott. Hom. 187 Hwi ne fele ich þe in mi breostes swo swote ase þu art. 1366 Mandeville ix. 107 The cytee is not now so gret, as it was wont to be. 1595 Shakes. John v. v. 21 The day shall not be vp so soone as I. 1818 Scott Rob Roy, You have never so much as answered me. 1849 Macaulay Hist. I. i. 10 No country suffered so much..as England. |
b. in certain affirmative sentences. (See so adv. 21.)
| c 1460 Townley Myst. 37 A child so lufand as thou art. 1594 Shakes. Rich. III, ii. i. 83 Looke I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest? 1605 ― Macb. i. ii. 43 So well thy words become thee, as thy wounds. 1690 Locke Hum. Und., I shall be pardoned for calling it by so harsh a name as madness. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 82 To think I should act so barbarously as I did. 18.. Macaulay Essays IV. 146 In a world so full of temptation as this. a 1850 Longfellow So long as you are innocent fear nothing. 1855 Tennyson Maud i. xix. ii, When did a morning shine So rich in atonement as this? |
3. With antecedent as (so) suppressed: a. Giving emphasis or absoluteness to the attribute or qualification.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom., Fair alse mone, icoren alse sune. 1382 Wyclif Song Sol. vi. 10 Faire as the moone, chosen as the sunne, ferful as of tentes sheltrun ordeyned. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. i. i. 144 Momentarie as a sound: Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame, Briefe as the lightening. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. iii. 5 Soone as the royall virgin he did spy. 1667 Milton P.L. v. 138 Soon as they forth were come. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 241 My good Lady..made me proud as proud can be. 1835 Crabbe Par. Reg. i. 288 His favourite Lucy should be rich as fair. Mod. Quick as thought, Roger seized the oar. |
b. esp. In parenthetical clauses forming an extension of the subject or predicate, the antecedent (so, as) formerly present is now omitted, and the relative has acquired somewhat of a concessive force = Though, however.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 47 To brynge vs, so fre as we beþ, in to fyl seruage. c 1300 in Wright Pop. Sc. 137 And ȝut as gret as urthe and as lute as heo is, Ther nis bote, etc. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xiv. 185 So wis as þow art holde..so wide as þow regnest. 1622 Heylin Cosmogr. iii. (1673) 114/1 As Pet. Ramas (as great a Clerk as he was)..hath most vainly told us. 1641 Evelyn Mem. (1857) I. 37, I took leave of..Antwerp, as late as it was, embarking for Brussels. 1727 Swift Wond. Wonders Wks. 1755 II. ii. 52 The world, as censorious as it is, hath been so kind, etc. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 45 Bad as his Actions were..would there not have been, etc.? 1835 Crabbe Par. Reg. i. 534 Fair as she is, I would my widow take. |
† 4. After the comparative degree = Than. Obs. exc. in dialects. (Cf. Ger. so{ddd}als, besser als, L. tam{ddd}quam, plus quam.)
| 1460 Paston Lett. 363 I. 534, I hadde never more neede..as I have at this tyme. 1513 Douglas æneis ii. xii. (xi.) 110 Quhat mair hard mischance..Apperit to me as that? 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. ccii. 238 They coude do no better..as to make to their capitayne sir Eustace Damlreticourt. 1568 Marr. Wit & Wisd. (1846) 27, I had rather haue your rome as your componie. 1653 Urquhart Rabelais ii. xxxii. (D.), I..never made better cheer in my life as then. 1824 Scott St. Ronan's ii. (D.), I rather like him as otherwise. |
II. Of quality or manner. (Preceded by a verb.)
* With antecedent expressed.
† 5. With antecedent as (alswa, alsa, also, alse, als, etc.):{ddd}in which way, in the way that. Obs.
[See A. II. 4, the quotations for which also illustrate this.]
6. With antecedent so (swa, swo), or an equivalent phrase containing such, same:{ddd}in the manner that{ddd}arch. (So is now usually omitted: see 8.)
See so{ddd}as{ddd} of result, infra V.
| 1205 Lay. 6753 And swa he þer agon ase þe oðer hæfde idon. 1393 Gower Conf. III. 117 So as I shall rehercen The tides of the yere diversen. 1580 Lyly Euphues (1636) H iv, God will so blesse you, as..your hearts can wish. 1611 Bible Gen. xviii. 5 So doe, as thou hast said. Mod. The committee was not so constituted as he had expected. |
7. With the clauses transposed for emphasis; as{ddd}so: a. In what manner{ddd}(in that manner); in the way that{ddd}
| 1382 Wyclif Ps. cii. 15 As the flour of the feld so he shal floure out. c 1420 Liber Cocorum 38 As I tolde byfore, so have þou cele. 1611 Bible Isa. xxiv. 2 It shall be as with the people, so with the priest, as with the seruant, so with his master, etc. 1614 R. Tailor Hog hath lost Pearl in Dodsley O.P. (1780) VI. 400 As she brews so let her bake. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 49 As the Cold Congeals into a Lump the liquid Gold; So 'tis again dissolv'd by Summer's Heat. 1860 Trench Serm. Westm. Ab. xi. 117 As our speech is, so we are. |
b. In proportion or degree as{ddd}
| 1541 Elyot Image Govt. 8 As they excelled in abhominacion, so preferred he theim. |
c. Even as, just as; both{ddd}and, equally{ddd}and. Lat. cum{ddd}tum. arch.
| 1602 W. Fulbecke Pandectes 69 A thing as ancient, so necessarie. 1607 Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr. i. i. 28 Shee hath as bewayld, so also renounced her former countrey. 1635 Naunton Fragm. Reg. 200 in Phœnix (1707) I, As he was a great soldier, so was he of suitable magnanimity. 1713 Derham Phys. Theol. iv. x. (1752) 173 As they are the most pernicious of birds so are they the most rare. 1837 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xxviii. (1870) II. 173 As some philosophers have denied to vision all perception of extension..so others have equally refused this perception to touch. |
** With antecedent not expressed.
8. = with antecedent so omitted: a. {ddd}in the manner or way that{ddd} as you were! (in Drill): ‘Return to the position in which you were before!’ (also transf. colloq.). as it stands: taken or considered as it now is.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Heore uuel..þu aȝest to..wiðstewen ȝif þu miht al swa hit is nu laȝe a londe. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 2212 Iosepes men ðor quiles deden Al-so Iosep hem adde beden. a 1300 Havelok 306 Shal it nouht ben als sho thenkes, Hope maketh fol man ofte blenkes. 1377 Langl. P. Pl. B. Prol. 120 To tilie and trauaile as trewe lyf askeþ. 1535 Coverdale Ezra vi. 9 There shalbe geuen them daylie as is acordinge. 1611 Bible John xv. 12 That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 1625 Markham Souldier's Accid. 21 To reduce any of these words of direction to the same order or station in which the Souldier stood before..you shall say..As you were. 1626 B. Jonson Staple of Newes in Wks. (1938) VI. 358 When my Muster-Master..cries, Faces about to the right hand, the left, Now, as you were. 1680 Radcliffe in Rochester's Poems 133 And be Godly a while ho, and then as you were. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. xiii. 103 An Englishman..thought he might insult Scotchmen as he pleased. 1832 Carlyle Remin. (1881) I. 15 Let me write my books as he built his houses. 1864 Hotten Slang Dict. 68 ‘As you were’, a military phrase in drilling; used in a Slang sense to one who is going on too fast in his assertions, and wants recalling to moderation. 1865 ― Fredk. Gt. VI. (1873) 29 General amicable As-you-were between Austria and Bavaria. 1871 J. W. T. Questions & Answers on Company Drill 28 The men [are] frequently to be brought back to the ‘ready’ by the command ‘as you were’. 1882 Times 5 July 11 The oath, as it stands, is and ought to be a religious test. 1925 Fraser & Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 11 As you were: The ordinary military word of command, used colloquially by way of acknowledging a mistake in anything said, e.g., ‘I saw Smith—as you were—I mean Brown.’ 1935 Man. of Ceremonial (War Office) ii. 14 Numbers 1 and 4 of the front rank will then prove. On the command ‘As you were’, they will drop their arms to the side. |
b. To the same extent as, in so far as; in proportion as; according as; just as, even as.
| c 1225 St. Marherete (1866) 13 Þat eiðer of oðeres, as of his ahne, beo trusti. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iii. iii. 165 As thou art but man I dare, but, as thou art a Prince, I feare thee. 1670 R. Coke Disc. Trade 32 Since the Rents of Land are valuable, as the Trade of the place is. 1710 Berkeley Princ. Hum. Knowl. i. §1 Which, as they are pleasing or disagreeable, excite the passions of love, hatred, etc. 1751 Johnson Rambl. No. 165 ¶3 Our state may indeed be more or less imbittered, as our duration may be more or less contracted. 1837 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xxxviii. (1870) II. 374 It is blasphemy to say that God only is as we are able to think Him to be. |
c. In the phrases according(-ly) as, in proportion as, and the like.
[See instances under according, etc.]
d. In antithetical or parallel clauses, introducing a known circumstance with which a hypothesis is contrasted, or beside which a new circumstance is placed:{ddd}as on the other hand; even as; whereas; whilst.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. clxxvi. 213 If kyng Johan had ben in Fraunce, as he was in Englande [i.e. instead of being, as was the fact, in England], he durst not haue done as he dyd. 1602 Shakes. Ham. v. ii. 347 Had I but time, (as this fell sergeant, death, Is strick'd in his Arrest). 1715 Burnet Own Time II. 2 The King's own religion was suspected, as his brother's was declared. 1848 Thackeray Bk. Snobs (1869) xvi. 71 It has its prejudices, to be sure, as which of us has not? Mod. If I had been present, as I was not, I should have asked an explanation. |
e. as also introduces an additional circumstance: Also in the same way, and likewise, and{ddd}as well.
| 1793 Smeaton Edystone L. §252 To carry her a rope to the landing-place, as also one to the..rocks on each side. |
9. a. Introducing a supposition, expressed by the subjunctive mood: As if, as though. arch. (Cf. 1 b.)
| 1135 O.E. Chron., Uuard þe sunne suilc als it uuare thre niht ald mone. a 1250 Owl & Night. 146 To-svolle..Also ho hadde one frogge i-svolȝe. a 1300 Havelok 508 Starinde als he were wod. 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle ii. xlv. 51 Somme hadden longe hoked clawes, lyke as they had ben lyons. 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI, i. i. 103 Vndoing all, as all had never bin. 1671 Milton P.R. iv. 447, I heard the wrack As earth and sky would mingle. 1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. 848 It looks as Heav'n our Ruin had design'd. 1800 Coleridge Wallenstein i. v, He looks as he had seen a ghost. |
b. If and though are now commonly expressed.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7690 Als þof his wiþerwin he war. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. xi. (1539) 17 As and a lorde haue a manour. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Jan. 18 As if my yeare were wast, and woxen old. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc i. 381 Wks. I. 14 As though by some divinity possess'd. 1867 Carlyle Remin. (1881) II. 18, I was banished solitary as if to the bottom of a cave. |
c. esp. in as it were: as if it were so, if one might so put it, in some sort: a parenthetic phrase used to indicate that a word or statement is perhaps not formally exact though practically right.
| c 1386 Chaucer Nun's Pr. T. 26 She was as it were a maner deye. 1399 Langl. P. Pl. C. ix. 22 Ich wolde a-saye som tyme for solas, as hit were. 1531 Elyot Gov. (1834) 211 It draweth a man as it were by violence. 1579 E. K. in Spenser's Sheph. Cal. Mar. 11 Gloss., The messenger, and as it were, the forerunner of springe. 1692 E. Walker Epictetus' Mor. (1737) xxii, You're as it were the Actor of a Play. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 32 ¶1 She has thought fit, as it were, to mock herself. 1881 Buchanan God & Man I. 124 She took him at once, as it were, into her confidence. |
10. a. With the subordinate clause abbreviated: In the same way as, as if, as it were.
| c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. xxvi. 55 Eall-swá to þeófe ȝe synð cumene. 1382 Wyclif ibid. 25 As to a theef ȝee han gon out. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 1 His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield. 1611 Bible Heb. xii. 7 God dealeth with you as with sonnes. 1663 Gerbier Counsel C ij b, The Horse..is as to seek. 1763 J. Brown Poetry & Mus. §6. 97 One of them (as wounded) fell down. 1817 Byron Manfred i. ii. 15, I..Behold the tall pines dwindled as to shrubs. a 1821 Keats To England, To sit upon an Alp as on a throne. 1859 Tennyson Enid 210 His..hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him. |
† b. With numbers = About, as it were, Gr. ὡς, ὡσεί, OE. swylce, Goth. swe. Obs.
| 1382 Wyclif John vi. 19 Whanne þei hadden rowid as fyue and twenty furlongis or þritty. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xliv. 59 They were a great nombre as a xl. M. men. |
11. With subordinate clause reduced to its subject or object: a. After the manner of, in the likeness of, the same as, like.
| c 1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 109 Ure helende aros alse sunne. c 1220 Leg. St. Kath. 1361 Þe Keiser kaste his heaued as wod mon. c 1400 Destr. Troy i. 178 Alse sede in þe season sowe it on þe erthe. 1590 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 29 And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent. 1611 Bible Gen. iii. 5 Yee shall bee as Gods, knowing good and euill. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 559 To the..ignorant populace the law of nations and the risk of bringing on their country the just vengeance of all Europe were as nothing. 1876 Green Short Hist. x. §4 (1881) 800 Spain rose as one man against the stranger. |
b. In the character, capacity, or rôle of. spec. in theatrical use.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. v. 4 Her sonne, who was as the next heire male. 1742 Middleton Cicero I. iv. 303 Assisted by Pompey as augur. 1810 Scott Lady of L. iii. vii, He as truth received What of his birth the crowd believed. 1837 Sir W. Hamilton Metaph. xxvi. (1870) II. 139 The fact is assumed as an hypothesis; the hypothesis explained as a fact. 1846 Ruskin Mod. Paint. (1851) I. i. i. i. 6 The lesson which men receive as individuals, they do not learn as nations. 1847 Semi-Wkly. News (Fredericksburg, Va.) 7 Oct. 1/4 His robust health..gave him great advantage where unusual muscular strength is necessary, as Damon, Matamor, the Gladiator, etc. 1875 Higginson Hist. U.S. xvi. 151 This design was afterwards used as a flag. 1954 Times 18 Oct. 2/3 Toad of Toad Hall, with Mr. Leo McKern as the irrepressible Toad. Ibid. 2/4 Mr. Victor Mature..as an ambitious officer of low birth,..Miss Jean Simmons as an honest serving wench. |
c. Introducing a complemental nominative or objective after such verbs as seem, appear, pass, rank; view, regard, represent, treat, acknowledge, know, consider, accept, etc.: see these words.
| 1607 Shakes. Cor. v. vi. 145 Regarded As the most Noble Coarse. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 9 ¶1 He was saluted as a Brother. c 1740 Fielding Ess. Convers. ad init., Man is generally represented as an animal formed for..society. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 76 Might have imputed to me as Arrogance, or Revenge. 1802 Scott Minstr. Sc. Bord. I. 8 He whom all civilized nations now acknowledge as the Father of Poetry. 1837 Macaulay Bacon, Ess. (1854) I. 346/1 In what we consider as his weakness. 1876 Green Short Hist. x. §4 (1881) 787 Who still looked on themselves as mere settlers..and who regarded the name of ‘Irishman’ as an insult. |
12. as who: a. Like one who, as if one. arch.
| 1551–6 Robinson tr. More's Utopia 35 As who should sai it were a very daungerous matter. a 1586 Answ. Cartwright 9 Walke before me, and be thou vpright, and I will make my couenant betweene me and thee. As who say, one condition..of the couenant is our vpright and good profession. 1606 Holland Sueton. Annot. 14 His courteous cariage and affabilitie: as who was readie to accept of petitions and requests. 1848 Dickens Dombey 212 The Manager inclined his head, and showed his teeth, as who should say..Is that the case? |
† b. As being he who. So, as which, etc. Obs.
| 1574 tr. Marlorats Apocalips 9 So consequently before Christ, as who sitteth by God the father. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. cxcvi. 1219 Let vs call vppon him, as which is the chiefe sacrifice that hee requireth at our handes. |
| Ibid. vi. 31 A verie notable point, as whereof wee may gather verie good and profitable doctrine. |
13. Introducing a clause not dependent on the predicate of the principal sentence, but referring elliptically to some other word or part, or parenthetically to the statement itself contemplated in regard to its truth, authority, universality, etc. as a rule: to state the general rule disregarding exceptions; generally, in the great majority of cases. as usual: as is or was usually the case.
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 17 Al swa ic er seide, ȝif eni mon touward criste isuneȝede, etc. c 1230 Ancr. R. 166 Nu, as ich sigge, þis deorewurðe healewi iðisse bruchele uetles, etc. c 1400 Apol. Loll. 27 He doþ ai þo þingis þat plesun God, os Himself seiþ. 1413 Lydg. Pylgr. Sowle i. xxiv. 29 His skryp and burdon, whiche, as he seyth, he ne left neuer. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 5 ¶3 This project, as I have since heard, is postponed 'till the Summer Season. 1711 Steele ibid. No. 104 ¶3 The Model..was, as I take it, first imported from France. 1754 Hume Hist. Eng. (1812) I. viii. 409 This war was, as usual, no less feeble in its operations, than..frivolous in its cause and object. 1882 Jessopp in 19th Cent. Nov. 735 The masses in towns are, as a rule, destitute of faith in the unseen. |
14. Introducing a clause used to attest a statement or to adjure any one by his faith, hopes, or fears: In such a manner as befits the prayer, wish (obs.), anticipation, belief, profession that{ddd}
| c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 461 If it lay in my might, I wold amenden it..Als wisly help me grete God of kynde. c 1435 Torr. Portugal 1446 Sir Torent said, ‘as God me spede, We wille firste se that ffede.’ Ibid. 2504 Damyselle, also muste I the [= as may I prosper!], Sylver and asure beryth he. 1593 Shakes. Rich. II, iii. iii. 119 This sweares he, as he is a Prince, is iust, And as I am a Gentleman, I credit him. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc i. 422 Wks. I. 15 Think well of this; As you are human, as you hope to live In peace. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 78 Admonished to speak with reverence of their oppressor..as they would answer it at their peril. |
† 15. In exclamatory sentences or clauses: The manner in which{ddd}, in what manner, how. Obs. exc. in dialects; replaced by how.
| c 1230 Ancr. R. 62 Louerd Crist, ase men wolden steken veste euerich þurl. 1566 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. 1846 I. 103 Which, as it was keapt, the ishew will witnesse. 1816 Scott Antiq. xxvi, ‘But see as our gudemither's hands and lips are ganging.’ |
III. Of time and place.
16. a. At or during the time that; when, while; at any time that, whenever. Introducing a contemporaneous event or action. (As when rarely takes the place of simple as.)
| c 1220 Ureisun in Lamb. Hom. 189 He strahte forþ his riht earm ase [he] stode o rode. 1297 R. Glouc. 283 As þys kyng Edgar an honteþ ywend was, Alone he com fram ys men. c 1380 Wyclif Wycket 8 The material bread that he had in hys handes as when he sayde (Hoc est corpus meum). 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour F iiij, But as his wrath is gone she may wel shewe to hym y{supt}, etc. 1596 Spenser F.Q. i. i. 29 And all the way he prayed as he went. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 529 They wander, grazing as they go. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 88 One Day, as she and I sat together. Mod. The thought occurred to me as I was watching the procession. |
b. as and when: whensoever (introducing a future event or action whose occurrence or frequency remains in doubt). Cf. if and when s.v. if conj. 8 c. Also ellipt. (in colloq. use) with loss of relative force: when possible, eventually.
| 1945 J. Corbett Death—by Appointment xvii. 186, I gave her the key; told her that she could use the house as and when she wanted to. 1958 in J. N. Chance Affair with Rich Girl 191 (Publisher's end-note), If you are a subscriber to a circulating library you may like to be advised of our new books as and when published. 1965 Listener 17 June 892/1 They confirmed the existing main roads as future main traffic arteries to be widened ‘as and when’. 1977 Private Eye 13 May 17/3 Perhaps as and when and if the Arabs do a deal on Bates.., someone, somewhere, will ask for an explanation. 1977 Custom Car Nov. 30/2 We hope to be half-inching a J72 in the near future, so more on that as and when. 1979 Listener 23 Aug. 243/3 The correct procedure, as and when we win our case, is then to apply for a writ of mandamus. 1986 J. Hibbs Country Bus vii. 95 Its responsibilities will be the undefined functions of leadership as and when there may be a call for them. |
17. At the place that, in which, where. Obs. exc. as in last quotation, where it passes into sense 16 a.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 555 Bituene Seint Oswalde's ȝat, and þe Norþ ȝat iwis, Is a long wal inou, as þe abbode's orchard is. c 1305 St. Andrew 16 in E.E.P. (1862) 98 Wende to patras To þe cite..as seint andreu was. c 1420 Chron. Vilod. 390 Þen went þey þederward as þis tresere lay. [1711 Steele Spect. No. 2 ¶2 He has his Periwig powdered at the Barber's as you go into the Rose. [Cf. It is right in front of you as you cross London Bridge.]] |
IV. Of reason.
18. a. In conformity with, or in consideration of, the fact that; it being the case that; inasmuch as; since.
| a 1400 Cov. Myst. 281 Lete me fro this deth fle, As I dede nevyr no trespace. 1664 Butler Hud. ii. ii. 202 As no Peer is bound to swear..it follows..t'affirm it is no perj'ry. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. i, My eldest son..was bred at Oxford, as I intended him for one of the learned professions. Mod. As you are not ready, we must go without you. He may have one, as he is a friend. |
b. Also with participial clause.
| 1631 Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 794 He was enforced to returne, as destitute of those further succours. 1677 Moxon Mech. Exerc. (1703) 203 The whole Work will be spoiled, as being smaller than the proposed Diameter. 1699 Bentley Phal. Introd. 24 [He] is not handsom: as having a flat Nose. |
V. Of result, actual or intended.
* With antecedent, so, such, that in the principal sentence.
† 19. With finite verb. Obs. and replaced by that. a. so{ddd}as: in such manner, to such a degree{ddd}that.
| c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 93 The Commons..be so poer, as they may not gyve any thyng of their own Goods. 1599 Hakluyt Voy. II. ii. 141 This so amazed our men..as they forsooke their Commanders, and left them. 1622 Sparrow Rationale (1661) 245 A thing so plain as it needs no proof. 1742 Middleton Cicero II. vii. 207, I despised you..so as nothing could be prouder. 1777 Robertson Hist. Amer. I. 203 His largest vessel was so clumsy and unfit for service, as constrained him to bear away for Hispaniola. |
† b. such{ddd}as: of that kind{ddd}that. Obs.
| 1475 Caxton Jason 23 The raynes of his horse faylled..in suche wise as he tumbled, the hede under. c 1555 Harpsfield Divorce Hen. VIII (1878) 178 Such..calamity..as since Christ his birth it never suffered the like. 1628 Feltham Resolves i. x. Wks. 1677, 14 He that longs for Heaven with such impatience, as he will kill himself. 1671 Milton Samson 350, I gained a son, And such a son as all men hailed me happy. |
c. The transition from the earlier as to that, was effected by the intermediate as that. arch.
| 1599 Greene Alphonsus (1861) 245 Hath god Mars such force..As that he can. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. Pref. (1691) A iij, The Price of Food so reasonable, as that Men refuse to have it cheaper. 1795 tr. Mercier's Fragm. Pol. & Hist. I. 31 The power..placed in the hands of a chief, in such a way as that the principle of unity in the government will be appreciated. a 1866 J. Grote Exam. Util. Philos. 362 In such a manner as that the thought of Him is, etc. |
20. With infinitive of result or purpose. (Still in use.) Formerly that also occurred as antecedent instead of such: cf. 24.
| c 1590 Marlowe Faustus xiii. 13 Do us that favour, as to let us see that peerless dame. 1662 H. More Antid. Ath. i. xi. (1712) 35 To bear themselves so as..to cause an Arbitrarious Ablegation of the Spirits. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 1 ¶2, I am not so vain as to think. 1818 Scott Hrt. Midl. xxxvi. (1878) 345 Announced in a voice so loud, as to make all..aware of the important communication. Mod. He so acquitted himself as to please everybody. Be so good as to come. |
** With antecedent so wanting, or conjoined with as in the subord. clause.
† 21. a. With finite verb: With the result or purpose that. Obs. and replaced by so that.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 586 Adam was made of manes elde, Als he might him seluen welde. 1574 tr. Littleton's Tenures 21 b, So as hee that holdeth by escuage, holdeth by homage. c 1590 Marlowe Faustus x. 31 The bright shining of whose glorious acts Lightens the world with his reflecting beams, As..It grieves my soul I never saw the man. 1628 Hobbes Thucydides (1822) 120 He miscarried by unskilfulness so as the loss can no way be ascribed to cowardice. 1797 Downing Disord. Horned Cattle 118 The joints will bend so as the clees or horny part..can be inclosed in the hand. |
† b. The transition from so as to so that gave the intervening so as that. arch.
| 1772–84 Cook Voy. (1790) III. 795 [They] had never been sufficiently examined, so as that an accurate judgement might be formed of their coasts. |
22. With infinitive of result or purpose.
| Mod. Put on your gloves, so as to be ready. |
VI. Introducing an attributive clause; after the antecedents such, same, or their equivalents.
23. a. The adjective such (OE. swylc, swęlc, Goth. swâ-leik) contains the adv. swá, so, and may be analyzed as ‘so-constituted’: like so, therefore, it is followed by as: see above, 19 b. b. Same was in OE. an adv. followed by swá. Hence, after such and same, as comes, through ellipsis, to act as a relative pronoun = That, who, which.
But same as usually expresses identity of kind, same that absolute identity, except in contracted sentences where same as is alone found: cf. ‘he uses the same books as you do,’ ‘he uses the same books that you do,’ ‘he uses the same books as you,’ ‘you and he use the same books.’
| c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 83 Ho nimeð al swuch hou [i.e. hue] alse ho þer on uint. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 4108 Alswilc als hem bihu[f]lik bee. 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 835 Þan sal he on þe same wys hethen wende..right als he cam. 1548 Compl. Scot. 38 That samyn sound as thay beystis hed blauen. 1549 Coverdale Erasm. Par. Rom. ix, Suche as growe out of kynde. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. 2 Such a one as was the glory of the land of Israel. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 118 ¶3 Such a Passion as I have had is never well cured. 1718 Hickes & Nelson Life Kettlewell App. 57 This is about the same Number as was now. 1789 G. White Selborne xvii. (1853) 72 Such a severe stroke..as put out one eye. 1832 Carlyle Remin. (1881) I. 8 Never shall we again hear such speech as that was. 1879 Lubbock Sci. Lect. ii. 31 Bees like the same odours as we do. |
† 24. a. The antecedent such is also replaced by that, those, or entirely omitted, leaving as an ordinary rel. pron. = That, who, which. Cf. Norse use of som. Obs. in standard English, but common dial. in England and the United States.
| c 1305 St. Edmund 225 in E.E.P. (1862) 77 Drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre. 1366 Mandeville v. 36 The firste Soudan was Zarocon..as was fadre to Sahaladyn. 1475 Bk. Noblesse 32 Tho as were present. 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. Pref., The ymages as they used in olde tyme to erecte in worshyp. 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. ii. i. 36 That kind of Fruite As Maides call Medlers. 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 222 To those as have no children. 1645 Fuller Good Th. in Bad T. (1841) 32 It is false that the marigold follows the sun, whereas the sun follows the marigold, as made the day before him. 1747 Gould Eng. Ants 70 That prodigious Size as we see in many Places. c 1852 Lamplighter (1854) 91 It's he as lives in the great stone house. |
† b. Extended to as that. Obs. Cf. as which, 12 b.
| 1663 Marvell Corr. Wks. 1872–5 II. 140 If they had any thing as that remained on their part. |
¶ As (after such or that), frequently represents not merely the simple relative, but the relative with its governing preposition; and then approaches the adverbial use in 6.
| 1693 Mem. Count Teckely i. 16 A City of that importance as [= of which] Cassovia was. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 11 ¶5 She should be clothed in such Silks as his Wastecoat was made of. |
25. a. In parenthetic clauses, affirming, explaining, or commenting on a word in the principal sentence. In parenthetic affirmations, e.g. ‘fool as I am,’ that is more common than as.
| c 1550 Jacke Jugeler (1820) 24 Like a fole as I am and a drunken knave. 1577 St. Aug. Manuell 93 O hard and cursed case as it was. 1605 Shakes. Lear iii. vii. 33 Vnmercifull Lady, as you are, I'me none. 1607 ― Temp. i. ii. 346, I haue vs'd thee (Filth as thou art) with humane care. 1714 Addison Spect. No. 568 ¶1 He designs his chasm, as you call it, for an Hole to creep out at. 1835 Lytton Rienzi xii, Crouch! wild beast as thou art! |
b. As frequently refers to the whole statement contemplated as a fact: = A thing or fact which.
| 1552 T. Barnabe in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. II. 202 Yff so be y{supt} that we shoulde warre with them (as God defende). 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral Tales I. xiii. 103 (1816) He was an Englishman, as they perceived by his accent. |
26. Introducing instances in exemplification or illustration of a general designation: Like and including, such as, of the kind of; for instance, for example.
Apparently an elliptical use of 23, 24; thus, ‘a beast of prey, as the lion or tiger’ = ‘a beast of prey, such as the lion or tiger is,’ where as is a relative pronoun, though in the elliptical sentence, it sinks into a conjunction.
| 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 700 Many yuels, angers, and mescheefes Oft comes til man..Als feuyr, dropsy, and Iaunys. c 1380 Wyclif Prelates iii. Wks. 1880. 60 A prelat, as an abott or a priour. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. 42 Beestes that shal plowe, As hors and ox. c 1530 Rhodes Bk. Nurture in Babees Bk. 68 And if your Mayster will haue any conceites after dinner, as appels, Nuts, or creame. 1705 Addison Italy 2, I pluck'd aboue Five different Sorts..as Wild-Time, Lauender, etc. |
27. From its relative or conjunctive force, as was added (rarely prefixed) to the demonstrative adverbs there, then, thither, thence, after, to make them conjunctive; it was used for some time with the interrogatives where, when, whither, whence, after they were substituted for the demonstratives. When as is found in modern poets as an archaism; the others are Obs. Cf. when that, after that; and see whereas, in which the local sense is now lost.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 369 Þere as þe batayle was, an abbey he let rere. 1366 Mandeville x. 118 The colveres retournen aȝen where as thei ben norissht. c 1386 Chaucer Merch. T. 138 Wel may the sike man wayle and wepe, Ther as ther is no wyf the hous to kepe. 1634 Malory's Arthur (1816) I. 80 Anon, after as Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour F ij, Thou..shalt not go..there as it pleseth me not. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. lvii. 78 Can ye lede vs ther as they be? Ibid. ccxciv. 437 Retourned into Fraunce, thyder as they thought to haue some aduantage. c 1532 ― Huon 438 Let the shyppe go whether as it wyll tyll it come to the porte where as thou shalte aryue. 1538 Bale Thre Lawes 4 Where as is no lawe, can no good order be. c 1590 Marlowe Jew Malta v. ii, What boots it thee..to be the Governor, When as thy life shall be at their Command? 1660 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 269/2 The year following..when as Philo..accused Sophocles for having done contrary to Law. 1808 Scott Marm. i. xxviii, When as the Palmer came in hall, Nor lord nor knight was there more tall. |
VII. Introducing dependent sentences or clauses.
28. Introducing a noun sentence, after say, know, think, etc. Sometimes expanded into as that. Obs. and replaced by that; but still common in southern dialect speech, where often expanded to as how. (Connected with IV: cf. that in ‘the man that is coming,’ ‘he says that he is coming.’)
| 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour F iiij b, I saye not as ye shalle be pryuely and alone one by other. 1578 Timme Calvin on Gen. 331 It seemeth to be a very absurd reason that he giveth, as that the children of Abram could not be saved. 1689 Tryal Bps. 55 Do you know My Lord Bishop of St. Asaph's handwriting? Not as I know of. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 508 ¶6 That the Fop..should say, as he would rather have such-a-one without a Groat, than me with the Indies. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) IV. 259 Pray let her know as that I will present her..my Lancashire Seat. 1771 Smollett Humph. Cl. I. 274, I believe as how your man deals with the devil. 1833 Marryat P. Simple xiii. (Hoppe) Seeing as how the captain had been hauling him over the coals. 1856 Mrs. Stowe Dred xi. 100, I don't know as you'll like the appearance of our place. |
† 29. Formerly used to introduce an imperative sentence. Obs.
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 522 ‘For love of God,’ full pitously he seide, ‘as go we seene the paleis of Creseide.’ c 1386 ― Miller's T. 590 That hoote kultour in the chymenee here, As lene it me: I haue ther-with to doone. |
† 30. Introducing contracted interrogative sentences: as how? (arch.) as why? (illiterate.)
| 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 16/1 We shall see sometime how heretikes come to turne the groundes of our faith wholy vpside downe. As how? If any denie that Iesus Christ is God euerlasting, etc. 1636 Healey Epictetus' Man. xxxi. 39 But I have yet no meanes to benefit my countrey! As how man? you cannot builde it a schoole, an Exchange, or a Bathe: what's all that to the purpose? 1742 Fielding J. Andrews iii. xii. (Mätz.) If he could be ruined alone, she should be very willing for it; for because, as why,..he deserved it. 1801 Southey Thalaba iv. xv. Wks. IV. 145 He might awe the Elements, and make Myriads of Spirits serve him!..But as how? By a league with Hell, a covenant that binds The soul to utter death! |
31. Formerly prefixed to an infinitive clause, made the occasion of introducing a statement, where a participle (or gerund) is now used: e.g. ‘Speaking of volcanoes, I have seen Etna in full eruption.’
| c 1374 Chaucer Troylus v. 974 But as to speke of love..I hadde a lord to whom I wedded was. |
VIII. Prefixed to prepositions and adverbs.
32. The original sense is perhaps seen in such expressions as, as regards, as respects, as concerns, i.e. ‘so far as it concerns,’ ‘in the degree, manner, or case in which it concerns.’ Cf. L. quod attinet ad.
| 1840 Macaulay Ranke, Ess. (1854) II. 543/1 As respects natural religion..it is not easy to see, etc. 1867 Gd. Words Mar. 160 As regards the virtues that make it possible to live the life of a civilised social being. 1872 F. Hall False Philol. 50 Nor is he more fortunate as relates to pronunciation. |
33. a. With prepositions, as has the general sense of as far as, so far as, and thus restricts or specially defines the reference of the preposition; e.g. as against, as between. as anent, as concerning, as for, as to, as touching (Fr. quant à), have all the sense of ‘as it regards, so far as it concerns, with respect or reference to.’ In as in, as by, as after, and other obsolete combinations, as was almost pleonastic. See these prepositions severally.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 6880, I shal ȝou shewe wiþouten les As anentis þis moyses. c 1375 Wyclif Antecrist 117 He shal be lyoun as to violence; as a lyoun in his chouche as to trecherie. c 1386 Chaucer Melib. ¶189 And as touching thy frendes, thou schalt considere which of hem beth most faithful. c 1449 Pecock Repr. iv. vi. 455 Her blamyng..muste needis be had as for vniust and vntrewe. 1535 Coverdale 2 Macc. xi. 20 As concernynge other thinges..I haue committed them to youre messaungers. 1611 Bible 1 Cor. viii. 1 As touching things offered unto idols, we know. 1748 Hartley Observ. Man. i. i. §1 ¶5 As to myself, I am not satisfied. 1857 Helps Friends in C. Ser. i. I. 18 My only doubt was as to the mode. 1856 T. Hook Gilb. Gurney i, [He] was questioned as to what efforts he had made to rescue his companion. 1876 Gladstone in Contemp. Rev. June 6 The rights of laymen as against priests..depend..upon his judgment. Mod. As for you, Sir, your father shall hear of this. |
† b. After as for, a pronoun was formerly omitted.
| 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. ccxlvi. [ccxlii.] 756 As for these townes wyll neuer tourne frenche, for they can nat lyue in their daunger. 1533 Udall Roister D. iv. iii. (Arb.) 62 Let him keepe him there still..As for his labour hither he shall spende in wast. 1586 Cogan Haven Health (1636) 206 As for herbs and fruits, especially raw, at all times are to be refused. |
c. as from, in formal dating: from, after. Also, (orig. U.S.), as of: (a) at the present time; (b) from this moment, from now.
| 1916 Ann. Reg. 1915 50 The British Government declared war against Bulgaria as from 10 p.m. on October 15 and the French Government as from 6 a.m. on October 16. 1918 Act 8 Geo. V, c. 5 §1 (1), The foregoing provision shall..have effect as from a date to be specified in the Order. 1943 Oxfordshire County Council Quart. Meeting 10 Feb., In these circumstances your Sub-Committee recommend that..the temporary addition to the basic salary of the Coroner for the Northern District be reduced from {pstlg}70 to {pstlg}45 as from the 1st of April, 1943. |
| 1900 ‘Mark Twain’ Let. 26 Jan. in Howells Lett. (1960) II. 716 Various samples & side-lights which bring the [human] race down to date, & expose it as of yesterday. 1955 D. W. Maurer in Publ. Amer. Dialect Soc. XXIV. 9 For as of 1955 well over one half of the crimes against property in the United States were committed by youths under twenty-five. 1956 A. H. Compton Atomic Quest 311 As of now there is no international authority whose strength comes near to being sufficient. 1957 D. Karp Leave me Alone vi. 96 I'm resigning from the committee as of now. 1968 Punch 18 Sept. 387/2 How would the papers celebrate the return of hot, topical, as-of-now photographs? 1970 New Society 5 Feb. 223/1 As of the end of 1973 women ‘would become entitled to receive treatment..which ensured orderly progress towards equal treatment’. 1977 J. Wainwright Do Nothin' x. 176 As of now you have another job. 1986 Oxf. Mag. v. 6/1 As of last term, Oxford has a new centre for the performing arts. |
34. With adverbs and advb. phrases. a. Of time: as then, as now, as to-day, as three years ago, where as has a restrictive force. Still common dialectally: but literary English retains only as yet = up to this time, hitherto.
| 1297 R. Glouc. 346 Þo hys lyf was ney ydo, As in þe ȝer of hys kynedom tuenty & tuo. c 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 249, I ne haue as now no leyser moore to seye. c 1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 153 Als this time sex yer, I rade allane. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour F iiij b, As yet they kepe and hold that custome. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cccxiii. 480, I vnderstode so as then. 1551 R. Ascham Let. Wks. 1865 I. ii. 288 The prince of Spain, which as to-morrow should have gone into Italy. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. ii. 9 An immortalitie which is hidde from vs as now. 1618 Bolton Florus (1636) 163 A province untoucht in a manner, and new to us as till then. 1651 Reliq. Wotton. 77 Who was then as yet in possession of the king's heart. 1653 Holcroft Procopius i. 15 He could not get John punished as then. 1760 Mrs. Delany Autobiog. (1861) III. 608 To carry us off to Longleat as last Thursday. 1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 497 Things as yet looked not unfavourably for James. |
b. Of place: as here, as there, as in that place.
| c 1220 Leg. St. Kath. 3 Constantin & Maxence weren on a time, as in Keiseres stude, hehest in Rome. c 1435 Torr. of Portugal 2086 Ffor Jhesu love thy sonne hym make, As in the stede of me. c 1449 Pecock Repr. i. vii. 35 Thei diden not ellis as there for the vertues but this. Ibid. i. iv. 21 [He] groundith not as in that tho gouernauncis. c 1532 Ld. Berners Huon clvi. 602 Let hym go and marry her, for as here he hath no thynge to do. |
C. Phrases. (See A. III.)
1. as much (besides its ordinary use with and without as) has the sense of: The same; what practically amounts to that, all that, so phr. I thought as much.
| 1386 Chaucer Frankl. T. 290 This is as much to sayn as it was night. 1587 Golding De Mornay viii. 98 Is it not asmuch to say, as that the example of the Arke had imboldened them to venture vpon the Sea? 1593 Shakes. 2 Hen. VI ii. i. 15 Glost. My Lord, 'tis but a base ignoble minde, That mounts no higher then a Bird can sore. Card. I thought as much, hee would be aboue the Clouds. 1615 Bedwell tr. Moham. Imp. ii. §65, I have heard as much, and all thou hast said is true. 1778 F. Burney Evelina I. xxi. 150 ‘Only see, here's Miss!’ cried the brother. ‘Well, I declare I thought as much!’ 1873 Black Pr. Thule xxi. 341 The old woman apparently anticipated as much. |
2. as well (beside its obvious analytical import) has the senses: a. (with following as) Just as much{ddd}as; equally{ddd}with; no less{ddd}than; in the same way{ddd}as; both{ddd}and; like; in addition to, besides. b. (ellipt.) Just as much, equally, no less; also, too. c. (absol.) As well as not, as well as anything else; hence put deferentially for ‘better,’ in which sense as good is also less correctly used. as good as has also d. the sense of: As much (or as little as), what amounts in worth or practical effect to, practically.
| a. , b. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour E j, [Ye] haue as wel for to pay as she hath. 1484 Churchw. Acc. Wigtoft (Nichols 1797) 77 Of dyvers persones, alsowell of men as of women of the said towne. 1513–75 Diurn. Occurr. (1833) 81 Charging all our soueranes liegis, alsweill to burgh as to land. 1596 Spenser State Irel. 50 They spoile aswell the subject as the enemy. 1718 Free-thinker No. 12. 80 They will conclude him to be a Weak Man, as well as a Bad Subject. 1853 Trench Proverbs 123 We have a right to assume this to be a voice of God as well. |
| c. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. 754 We were as good to go towardes Flaunders as to Bologne. 1593 Bilson Govt. Christ's Ch. 311 Your Elders were as good spare their paines. 1768 Sterne Sent. Journ. (1778) II. 46 As I am at Versailles..I might as well take a view of the town. 1773 Goldsm. Stoops to Conq. ii. i, You had as good not make me, I tell you. 1820 Byron Mar. Fal. iv. ii. 5 It had been As well had there been time. |
| d. 1526 Tindale Heb. xi. 12 Of one which was as good as deed. 1837 Carlyle Fr. Rev. (1872) II. vi. vi. 244 Some men have heart, and some have as good as none. |
3. as new: of a commodity, second-hand (or shop-soiled), but offered for sale in a condition allegedly as good as new; also attrib. or as adj., not yet soiled or impaired by use.
| 1925 J. A. Holden Bookman's Gloss. 14 As new, a catalogue description of a volume or set approaching the condition of newness. 1956 Bookman's Conc. Dict. 23/2 As new, books in almost new condition, sometimes known as shop soiled, listed in catalogues. 1972 J. Belfrage in G. W. Turner Good Austral. Eng. vi. 115 Second-hand car dealers who..beg you to take as-new late models off their hands at absurdly low prices. 1976 Conservation News Sept./Oct. 8/2 We..asked whether they would pay more for the furniture if we could supply in an ‘as new’ condition. 1985 N.Y. Times Mag. 3 Mar. 22/2 Fine means ‘virtually as new’, just as a book was when taken off the press... Out of every 2,000 used books, maybe as many as 10 would be as new. |
▸ colloq.as if!: (expressing dismissive or incredulous contradiction) ‘I very much doubt that!’, ‘some hope!’, ‘you must be joking!’
Typically used as a sardonic response to a stated or reported suggestion.
| a 1902 F. Norris Pit (1903) i. 10 ‘Maybe he'll come up and speak to us.’ ‘Oh, as if!’ contradicted Laura. 1981 UNC-CH Slang (Univ. North Carolina, Chapel Hill) (typescript) Mar. 1 ‘He drank 50 beers in 5 minutes.’ ‘As if.’ 1991 M. Myers et al. Wayne's World (film script) 107 Benjamin:..Did you really think I wouldn't end up with the girl? Garth: As if. 1994 A. Heckerling Clueless (film script) Green Revised Pages 64 Elton. What's the deal, you've been flirting with me all year. Cher. As if! I've been trying to help you and Tai get together. 2001 Sun 27 Jan. 42/1 When she finds her cheating hubby in bed with another woman (as if!) Isabella moves to Los Angeles. |
▪ II. ‖ as, n.
(æs)
Also 7 asse, aas.
[L.]
A Roman copper coin, originally weighing twelve ounces, but reduced after the first Punic war to two ounces, during the second Punic war to one, and by the Lex Papiria (b.c. 191) to half an ounce.
| 1601 Holland Pliny II. 463 This new brasen Asse..was stamped with a two faced Ianus. 1697 Phil. Trans. XIX. 517 A bit of Magnet of about the weight of an Aas. 1838 Arnold Hist. Rome I. 84 The As having been at first a full pound in weight. |
▪ III. † as, pers. pron. Obs.
[Phonetic variant of es, is, hes, his: see his pron.2]
1. Her, it.
2. Them.
| c 1315 Bodl. MS., Laud Misc. 108 lf. 1 b, Ho so wole is soule sauui, He as mot alling for-leose, And who so leost is soule he as sauez, Nou maij ech man cheose. Ibid. lf. 3 For ȝwan heo iseoth swuch pine & wo, Heore joye and blis is wel þe more, ȝwane heo as habbuth for go. |
▪ IV. as
occas. obs. var. of has, hast: see have.
| c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 1760 Qui as ðu min godes stolen? |
▪ V. as
obs. form of ace n., ass n., and ash.
▪ VI. as
variant of ask n. Obs. request.