▪ I. but, prep., adv., conj.
(bʌt)
Forms: 1 be-{uacu}tan (only as prep. or adv.), b{uacu}tan, -on, -un, b{uacu}ta, b{uacu}te, 2–3 buten, 2–4 bute, (2–3 boten, 2–4 bote, 3–7 Sc. bot), 3– but.
[The OE. adv. and prep. be-{uacu}tan, b{uacu}tan, b{uacu}ta, ‘on the outside, without’, of which the strong form regularly became in ME. bouten, boute, bout, as adv. and prep., was phonetically weakened to bŭten, bŭte, but, as a conjunction, with uses arising immediately out of the prepositional sense. In some of these uses, the conjunction is, even in modern English, not distinctly separated from the preposition: the want of inflexions in substantives, and the colloquial use of me, us, for I, we, etc., as complemental nominatives in the pronouns, making it uncertain whether but is to be taken as governing a case. In other words ‘nobody else went but me (or I)’ is variously analysed as = ‘nobody else went except me’ and ‘nobody else went except (that) I (went)’, and as these mean precisely the same thing, both are pronounced grammatically correct. (See Latham, Eng. Lang. ed. 1850, p. 483; also F. Hall, Modern English 104, 303, notes.) In colloquial use me, us, etc., are more common than I, we, etc.; in literary use, the point is usually avoided by substituting except, save, or otherwise altering the phraseology. In certain phrases the conjunctional but develops, by ellipsis of a preceding negative, the adverbial sense ‘only’: see C. 6 below. Otherwise the modern use of but as a preposition or adverb is only Scotch; the form bout which was the regular ME. repr. of OE. b{uacu}tan as prep. and adv. having become obsolete by 1500.]
A. prep.
† 1. Outside of, without.
Only in OE. (see bout), exc. in mod.Sc. in such phrases as but the house: see but adv. 1 e.
2. Without, apart from, unprovided with, void of. (Used in Sc. since 14th c. but now obsolescent. The ME. was boute, bout, q.v.
| [894–1500 see bout.] 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 91 Till the toun soyn cumin ar thai Sa preuely, bot noyss making. 1423 Jas. I King's Q. viii, And doun I lay bot ony tarying. 1497 Minute Town-Counc. Edinb. in Phil. Trans. XLII. 421 Thai sall be banist but favors. 1533 Bellenden Livy iv. (1822) 321 The samin wes done but ony respect to juris or lawe. a 1644 Laud Serm. (1847) 127 They..joy in their very tears to see they cannot call but crying. 1724 Ramsay Tea-t. Misc. (1733) II. 163 I'd tak my Katie but a gown Bare-footed in her little coatie. 1794 Burns Auld Man ii, My trunk of eild, but buss or bield Sinks in time's wintry rage. 1810 Tannahill Poems (1846) 21 Safe but skaith or scar. |
3. Leaving out, barring, with the exception of, except, save. Distinctly a preposition in OE.
| 979–82 O.E. Chron. (MS. Cott. Tib. A iii) Þa feng Eadmund to..and heold seofoðe healf ᵹear butan ii nihtum. a 1000 Menolog. 87 (Gr.) Ymb first wucan butan anre niht. |
In later times, the original prepositional and later conjunctional uses are so inseparable that the whole are treated under C.
B. adv.
1. Without, outside. † a. in general sense, with forms b{uacu}tan, b{uacu}ta, bute, boute: see bout.
b. spec. in Sc. with sense: Outside the house (of motion as well as rest); in mod.Sc. in or into the outer or more public apartment of the house, in the ante-room or kitchen: opposed to ben, q.v. (Now less common than ben.)
| c 1450 Henryson Mor. Fab. 14 Her den..Full beenlie stuffed both butte and ben, Of Beines and Nuttes, Pease, Rye and Wheat. 1513 Douglas æneis iv. xii. 53 Flambe..Spreding fra thak to thak, baith but and ben. 1568 Wife of Aucht. iv. in Bannatyne Poems (1770) 216 Aye as ye gang but and ben. a 1646 A. Henderson Let. Chas. I, Wks. 160 It cannot be brought But, that is not the Ben. 1787 Burns Lett. lii. Wks. (Globe) 334, I can hardly stoiter but and ben. 1827 J. Wilson Noct. Ambr. Wks. 1855 I. 357 Bring but a bottle o' primrose wine. Mod.Sc. Gae but, and wait while I am ready. |
c. as adj. Outside, outer, exterior: as in but end.
| 1619 Sir R. Boyle in Lismore Papers (1886) I. 219 The but end of a great stone howse that was never fynished. 1862 R. H. Story in Athenæum 30 Aug. 270 He conducted me to the but end of the mansion. |
d. as n. The outer room of a house, into which the outer door opens. A but-and-ben: a house having an outer and an inner apartment; a two-roomed house.
| 1724 Ramsay Tea-T. Misc. (1733) I. 29 A house is butt and benn. 1786 Burns Calf iv, Some kind, connubial dear, Your but-and-ben adorns. 1859 R. Burton Centr. Afr. in Jrnl. R.G.S. XXIX. 134 Each house has two rooms, a ‘but’ and a ‘ben’ separated by a screen of corn-canes..The but, used as parlour, kitchen, and dormitory, opens upon the central square; the ben..serves for sleeping and for a storeroom. 1861 Ramsay Remin. iii. (ed. 18) 60 A cosy but, and a canty ben. c 1870 R. Buchanan Sutherland's Pansies iii, I found him settled in this but and ben. |
e. As prep.
| 1768 Ross Helenore 74 (Jam.) Lindy..looking butt the floor, Sees Bydby standing just within the door. Mod.Sc. Gang but the house and see who is there, and come ben again and tell me. The mistress happened to be but the house [i.e. out in the kitchen] at the time. |
2. In sense: Only. An elliptic development of the conjunction: see C. 6.
C. conj.
General Scheme. I. In a simple sentence. II. In a complex sentence. III. In a compound sentence, or introducing a consequent sentence. IV. In phrases. I. In a simple sentence; introducing a word or phrase (rarely a clause) which is excepted from the general statement: Without, with the exception of, except, save.
1. After universal statements with all, every, any. † a. In OE. construed as a prep. with dative. (See A. 3.)
| a 1000 Beowulf 705 (Z.) Ealle buton anum. c 1000 ælfric Job (Ettm.) iv. 15 Ealle þa þing..buton þam anum. |
b. In ME. and modern use weakened to a conjunction, as in 3 and 4.
(a) This is shown before a nominative pronoun.
| c 1460 Towneley Myst. 23 Alle shalle be slayn but oonely we. a 1835 Mrs. Hemans Casabianca 2 The boy stood on the burning deck, Whence all but he had fled. 1872 J. H. Newman Disc. & Arguments 6, I am one among a thousand; all of them wrong but I. [Colloq. also, ‘but me’.] |
(b) Otherwise, on account of the levelling of inflexions, the case is not shown, or may be independent of but (quot. a 1000), or but introduces a phrase.
| a 1000 Panther 16 (Gr.) Se is æthwam freond butan dracan anum. a 1300 Cursor M. 763 Sua do we [ete] Of al þe tres bot of an. 1423 Jas. I King's Q. 94 With wingis bright, all plumyt, bot his face. 1596 Edw. III, ii. i. 13 Wisdom is foolishness, but in her tongue. 1599 Nashe Christ's T. 57 b, If wee did imitate ought but the imperfections of Beastes. a 1618 Raleigh Verses (Mildmay MS.) Love all eaten out but in outward showe. 1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. 56 And thought that all but Savages were Slaves. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. ix. 68, I can bear any thing but contempt. 1838 Thirlwall Greece V. xxxix. 81 It [an oath] was taken..by all but the Eleans. Mod. Anything but that! Any one but a fool would understand. Anywhere but in England. At any time but the present. Everybody but you has signed. |
c. all but: everything short of. Hence, advb. Almost, very nearly, well nigh: see all A. 8 b.
2. After only, or a superlative. Const. as in 1 b.
| 1580 North Plutarch 672 The first time that ever the two Kings were of one House but then. Mod. The only person I have met but you. He is last but one in the class. |
3. After interrogatives (who, what, etc.) but was already in OE. construed as a conjunction, not affecting the case of the following n. or pronoun, which depends upon the expansion of its own clause. This appears to have been universal in ME., and is regular now. Only rarely in modern times is but treated as a preposition governing the word. a. With pronouns showing the case.
| a 1000 Crist 695 (Gr.) Hwæt sindon þa ᵹimmas butan god sylfe. c 1380 Wyclif Serm. Sel. Wks. I. 279 Who shulde be dampned but þou? 1782 Cowper Gilpin 113 Away went Gilpin—who but he? 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. 231 Come—for, but thee, who seeks the Muse? Mod. Is there any one in the house but she? (or but her?) Who could have done it but he? (or but him?). |
b. Otherwise the case is not shown, or is objective independently of but.
| c 1300 Cato Major iv. v, What prou may þi catel do But hele wol with þe dele? c 1440 Gesta Rom. (1878) 123 What dude he but yede, and purveyde him of iij. cautils. 1576 Gascoigne Steel Gl. (Arb.) 60 What causeth this, but greedy golde to get? 1601 Weever in Shaks. C. Praise 42 Who but Brutus then was vicious? 1790 Burke Fr. Rev. 339 Who but the most desperate adventurers..could at all have thought of [it]. 1872 Black Adv. Phaeton xxiv. 336 What must she do but immediately turn to the Lieutenant? Mod. Whom could he mean but me? Why have they come but to annoy us? |
4. So after a negative, expressed or implied. (Here but regularly translates L. nisi, and may be explained as ‘unless, if not’. It has been treated as a conjunction from the earliest times.) † a. With n. or pron. as compl. to be: see 6 a.
| c 893 K. ælfred Oros. i. i, Þær næran butan tweᵹen dælas. a 1225 Leg. Kath. 282 Þer nis bot a Godd. c 1240 Ureisun in Lamb. Hom. 185 Aȝein hwam þe sunne nis boten a schadwe. 1340 Ayenb. 258 Þe ssredinge þet ne ssolde by bote a tokne..of þe ssame of his vader. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. i. 205 Ther þe cat nys bote a kyton. Ibid. xx. 149 Alle þre nys bote o god. |
b. With a n. or pronoun whose case depends on its own clause. (a) The case is now shown only in a personal pronoun.
| a 1000 Phœnix (Gr.) 358 Ne wat æniᵹ butan metod ana. a 1000 Seafarer (Gr.) 18 Ic ne ᵹehyrde butan hlimman sæ. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. xi. 27 Nan mann ne can þone sunu butun fædyr [Lind. buta ðe fæder; Hatt. buto se fader; Vulg. nisi pater]. c 1230 Hali Meid. 21 Ne moten nane bute heo hoppen ne singen. 1330 R. Brunne Chron. 183 No body bot he alone vnto þe Cristen cam. ? c 1370 Robt. K. Cicyle 61 There was lefte noon but he allone. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 45 Othir God is noon but I. c 1430 Syr. Tryam. 1166 Ther schalle no man fyght but y. 1560 A. L. tr. Calvin's Foure Serm. (1574) 48 There is none but he alone to save us. 1615 tr. De Montfart's Surv. E. Indies 26 None but he and his men can tell, what is become of them. a 1842 Arnold Fragm. on Church (1845) 223 None but they..have a right to rule in the Church. |
(b) Otherwise, on account of the levelling of inflexions, the case is not shown, or would be objective independently of but (as in quot. 1300, 1599, 1808).
| 1154 O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1135 Durste nan man sei to him naht bute god. c 1200 Moral Ode in Trin. Coll. Hom. 223 Non ne cnoweð hine alse wel buten one drihte. a 1300 Cursor M. 961, I wat bot þe haf i na frend. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 94 Love we God..and drede we noo thing but hym. 1599 Greene George a Gr. (1861) 256 He is the man and she will none but him. 1618 J. Taylor (Water P.) Penniless Pilgr. (1883) 23 Nothing, (but my weary self) was bad. 1627 Perkins Prof. Bk. ii. §158 (1642) 71 None speakes the same but their principall. a 1711 Ken Hymnotheo Poet. Wks. 1721 III. 7 For I Nothing but Ants about this Hill descry. 1802 M. Edgeworth Moral T. (1816) I. iii. 17 He wants nothing but a little common sense. 1808 J. Barlow Columb. i. 30 Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee. 1821 Shelley Hellas, Nought is but that which feels itself to be. |
¶ (c) The nominative occurs erroneously, where the construction requires the objective.
| c 1430 Syr Gener. 902 This child hath no modre but I. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts 111 They have no other King but he. a 1866 in Engel Nat. Mus. ix. 358 And I had nae mair bot hee, O. |
c. With a prepositional, adverbial, infinitive, or other phrase (rarely expanded to a clause).
| 971 Blickl. Hom. 33 Nolde he him na andswerian buton mid monþwærnesse. a 1300 Cursor M. 455 He þat noght hadd bot of him. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 7939 Þey do nat wrong,—but al day. 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. iii. xxi. (1495) 69 He erryth not but by happe. c 1400 Rom. Rose 292 She ne lokide but awrie, Or overthart, alle baggyngly. 1448 J. Shillingford Lett. (1871) 66 We wolde noght aggre bot to have power to arreste chanons men servants. 1609 Skene Reg. Maj., Burrow Lawes 129 No man sould presume to buy fish..in any other place, bot in the Kings market. 1701 Wotton Hist. Rome 401 He never us'd any Linnen or other Clothes but once. 1743 J. Morris Serm. ii. 49 Faith and hope have no aptitude to make us happy, but as they incline us to love. 1779 Forrest Voy. N. Guinea 246 In the streets, women seldom speak but to women. 1843 Ruskin Mod. Paint. (1851) I. i. i. i. 2 No man can be really appreciated but by his equal or superior. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan 77 You have no choice but marry Doris now. |
† d. But was strengthened by only. Obs.
| c 1230 Hali Meid. 5 Ha nawiht ne þarf of oðer þing þenchen bute an of hire leofmon. c 1460 Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 42 It nedith not to..purvey, but only for the Kyngs Hous. 1602 L. Lloyd Confer. Lawes 27 There was no God but onely his maister. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece i. 2 No Appeal can be made, but only to the Senate. 1715 Burnet Own Time II. 242 They took little care of it, but only to find men who would bear the charge. |
5. Negative and interrogative sentences containing a comparative (esp. more) were formerly followed by but; they now usually take than, or else the comparative is omitted and but retained; modern idiom preferring sometimes one, sometimes the other.
| 1440 J. Shirley Dethe K. James (1818) 12 There be no mo kynges yn this reume bot ye and I. c 1500 Rob. Hood (Ritson) i. i. 155, I have no more but ten shillings. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxi. 134 They..toke their horses, wherof they had no mo but sixe. 1530 ― Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. Nn ij b, What greatter correction shuld I haue of thy wyckednes..but to bee certain that all the lovyng ladis of Rome ar sory of thy life. 1583 Golding Calvin on Deut. xlv. 266 To bestow it vpon men which are no better but dung. 1606 G. W[oodcocke] Hist. Ivstine 97 a, They were no better but a ragged sort of shepheards. 1644 Chillingworth Serm. 32 Our whole lives (if sincerely examined) would appeare, I feare, little lesse but a perpetuall lye. 1686 Papist not Misrepr. 21 The difference..is no more but this. 1713 Steele Guardian No. 143 ¶5 There needed no more but to advance one step. Mod. There remains no more but to thank you for your courteous attention. |
b. So with similar sentences containing other, otherwise, else; in which but is still sometimes retained, esp. after else, as ‘Who else but he?’
| 971 Blickl. Hom. 39 Hwylc beren mænde he þonne elles buton heofona rice? Ibid. Hwæt mænde he þonne elles, buton þæt we ᵹefyllon þæs þearfan wambe mid urum godum? 1495 Act. 11 Hen. VII, ii. § 1 Ther to have noon other sustenaunce but brede and water. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xix. (Arb.) 207 What els is man but his minde? 1611 Bible Pref. 1 For none other fault but for seeking to reduce their Countrey-men to good order. 1689 Selden Table T. (1847) 149 Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of Pain. 1713 Steele Guardian No. 143 ¶5 Had no other fault, but that of being too short. Mod. It is nothing else but laziness! |
† c. After unlike. Obs. rare.
| 1652 Ashmole Theatr. Chem. Prol. 7 Not unlike, but the Wall-nut-Tree which..grew in Glastenbury-Church-yard. |
6. By the omission of the negative accompanying the preceding verb (see 4 a), but passes into the adverbial sense of: Nought but, no more than, only, merely. (Thus the earlier ‘he nis but a child’ is now ‘he is but a child’; here north. dialects use nobbut = nought but, not but, ‘he is nobbut a child’.)
| a 1300 Cursor M. 4322 Bettur..þan folu þi prai þat es bot tint. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. xvii. 359 He comeþ but selde. c 1400 Mandeville 157 The folk..han but litille appetyt to mete. c 1440 Anc. Cookery in Househ. Ord. (1790) 465 Take rys, and gif hom but a boyle. 1512 Act 3 Hen. VIII, vi. Preamb., The forsaid penaltie expressed in the said Statute is but xxs. 1617 S. Collins Epphata to F.T. (1628) 239 It was impious..but euen to touch the bodies of Saints dead. 1647 Cowley Mistr., Spring ii, Could they remember but last year. 1732 Berkeley Alciphr. i. §3 Wks. 1871 II. 29 Do but consider this. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. iii, Premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow. 1794 Burns (title) My love she's but a lassie yet. 1876 Green Short Hist. i. §3 (1882) 30 In arms the kingdom had but a single rival. |
† b. In obsolete or dialectal use in various connected senses: Neither more nor less than, absolutely, actually, just, even. (Sometimes but seems merely expletive.) but now = just now, only this moment.
| c 1430 Syr Tryam. 596 For welle y wot that y am but dede. c 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. 79 Yf thei se him, they are but lost for ever. 1594 Nashe Unfort. Trav. 39 He tolde me but euerie thing that she and he agreed of. 1622 Mabbe tr. Aleman's Guzman d' Alf. i. 248 He is heere (Sir) about the house, I saw him but now. 1665 Boyle Occas. Refl. (1675) 37 A but plausible Argument, dress'd up in fine Similitudes. 1844 F. Paget Tales Village Childr. Ser. ii. (1858) 16 My poor legs how they do but tremble. 1859 Barnes Rhymes in Dorset Dial. II. 7 Back here, but now, the jobber John Come by. |
† c. Formerly strengthened with only, which now would be used alone.
| 1477 Earl Rivers Dictes 9, Another litil flode whiche drowned but the contre of Egipte onely. c 1532 Ld. Berners Huon lxxxviii. 280, I had but alonely my swerde in my hande. 1598 Barnfield Poems (Arb.) 112 They are indeed but onely meere Illusions. 1605 Shakes. Macb. v. viii. 40 He onely liu'd but till he was a man. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 36, I find but only two sorts of writings. |
7. elliptically: Any but, aught but, anything else than, other than, otherwise than. (Often after ever, never.)
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. xviii. 20 Fewe had slepte but lytle, and yet they had sore traualed the daye before. 1596 Edw. III, iv. i. 50 Never to be but Edwards faithful friend. 1610 Shakes. Temp. i. ii. 118, I should sinne To thinke but Noblie of my Grand-mother. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 56 It cannot be but a dishonour and derogation to the author. 1794 Burns How long & dreary is the night, How can I be but eerie? 1832 Blackw. Mag. XXXII. 166 He never took but one voyage. 1864 R. Paul Let. in Mem. (1872) xviii. 273 You say you are tied hand and foot. You will never be but that in London. |
b. After cannot choose. ‘I cannot choose but speak’ = ‘I cannot help speaking’. So interrogative ‘Who could choose but..?’ (Here the infinitive phrase was sometimes expanded into a sub-ordinate clause (cf. 16); esp. after the passive it cannot be chosen but.)
| 1557 North Gueuara's Diall Pr. (1582) 402 It cannot be chosen but wee must come before these judges, etc. Ibid. 412 He cannot chose but he must fall downe flat to the grounde. 1619 W. Sclater Exp. 1 Thess. (1630) 295 Canst thou chuse now but say, God is in vs, of a truth? 1622 Mabbe Aleman's Guzman d' Alf. ii. 296 We could not choose but be weary with our last night's ill rest. 1676 Hobbes Iliad ii. 240 He could not chuse but laugh. 1742 Richardson Pamela III. 70, I could not chuse but to forgive her! 1854 Lady Lytton Behind Sc. I. Pref. 12 They cannot choose but echo them. |
c. After cannot, could not, dare not, etc., and the interrogative who could, etc., with ellipsis of do, be, etc. (Lat. non possum non.)
| 1549 Bk. Com. Prayer Coll. 15th Sund. after Tr., The frailty of man without thee cannot but fall. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 19, I cannot but commende his wisedome. 1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. (1638) 166 What Atheist dares but yield attention? 1628 Bp. Davenant Serm. 35 If hee bid it stand still..it dares not but stand. 1644 Milton Areop. (Arb.) 32 It could not but much redound to the lustre of your milde and equall Government. 1705 Addison Italy Ded., It can't but be obvious to them. 1777 Watson Philip II (1793) I. ii. 26 Such power, and..resources could not but appear formidable. 1812 T. Jefferson Writ. (1830) IV. 180, I cannot but be gratified by the assurance. 1832 H. Martineau Each & All ii. 23 He could not but try. |
II. In a complex sentence; introducing the subordinate clause.
* With general sense ‘except that’; the full expression being but that, often reduced to but.
† 8. but that = Except (that), save (that). Obs.
| a 1000 Cædmon's Gen. 1403 (Gr.) Egorhere eall acwealde buton þæt earce bord heold heofona frea. c 1000 Ags. Gosp. Matt. v. 13 Ne mæᵹ [þæt sealt] to nahte, buton þæt hit sy utaworpen. c 1205 Lay. 31186 He wolde al þis kinelond setten an heore hond, bute þat he icleoped were king. |
b. with omission of that.
| 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 316 Nothing would serve him, but he must imitate Alexander. 1713 Steele Guardian No. 146 ¶4 Nothing would satisfy Sir George..but he must go into the den. 1820 H. Matthews Diary Invalid 174 Nothing would please him but I must try on his mitres. |
9. but that, introducing a consideration or reason to the contrary: Except for the fact that, were it not that. (Formerly that was occas. omitted.)
| a 1400 Cov. Myst. 43 (Mätz.) Myn handwerk to sle sore grevyth me, but that here synne here deth doth brewe. ? a 1400 Morte Arth. 44 Nere for joye she swounyd swythe, But as that he her helde vp ryght. 1611 Shakes. Cymb. v. v. 41 And but she spoke it dying, I would not Beleeue her lips. 1628 Earle Microcosm. xlvi. (Arb.) 66 Hee would be wholy a Christian, but that he is something of an Atheist. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece i. 78 We had not staid here long, but the Wind expected proved a brisque South-wind. 1726 Amherst Terræ Fil. xiv. 71, I need not have put the case so far, but that I was willing to shew, etc. 1795 Southey Joan of Arc i. 359, I too should be content to dwell in peace..But that my country calls. 1850 Sir H. Taylor Sicilian Sum. ii. iii, Each by the other would have done the like But that they lack'd the courage. |
** With general sense ‘if not’.
10. Introducing a condition: If not, unless, except. arch.
| c 888 K. ælfred Boeth. xli. §2 Ðu seᵹst þæt Nan þing wyrþe, bute hit God wille. c 1000 Ags. Ps. vii. 12 Bute ᵹe to him ᵹecyrren, se deofol cwecð his sweord to eow. c 1175 Lamb. Hom. 147 Ne mei na Mon me folȝen, bute he forlete al. c 1250 Gen. & Ex. 3616 Ðat folc on him ne miȝte sen But a veil wore hem bi-twen. 1388 Wyclif Matt. v. 20 That but [1382 but ȝif] ȝour riȝtfulnesse be more plenteuouse than of scribis..ȝe schulen not entre into the kyngdom of heuenes. ? 1461 Paston Lett. II. 79 But I maye have helpe of my mayster and of yow, I am but lost. 1534 Ld. Berners Gold Bk. M. Aurel. S vij b, He is of an yll inclinacion, but he be forced. 1721 St. German's Doctor & Stud. 278 No man may take the man, but he have authority from the Sheriff. |
† b. Expanded into but if. Obs. (Very common from 14th to 16th c.)
| c 1200 Ormin 1662 Þatt nohht ne maȝȝ ben don..But iff itt bee wiþþ witt. c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 1110 Hov schulde þou com to his kyth bot-if þou clene were? 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. ii. 184 Feith..ys..ded as a dore-nayle · bote yf þe dede folwe. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour ix. 13 But yef thei amende hem, the citee and the peple shulde be perysshed. 1580 Sidney Arcadia (1613) 115 He did not like that maides should once stir out of their fathers houses, but if it were to milke a cow. 1596 Spenser F.Q. iii. iii. 16 But if remedee Thou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see. |
11. Hence a. With ‘It shall go hard’ and phrases of the nature of a threat. ‘I'd burn the house down but I'd find it’, i.e. if I did not find it (without doing so) = even though I should have to burn the house down, I'd find it.
| 1530 Ld. Berners Arth. Lyt. Bryt. 102, I wyll abyde here this seven yere but I will wynne it. 1628 Earle Microcosm. xxxi. (Arb.) 53 It shall goe hard but he will wind in his opportunity. 1643 Answ. Observ. W. Bridges conc. War. 21 Hee will worke wonders but he will doe it. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 307 They would go quite up to the Andes but they would find them. 1727 ― Secrets Invis. World (1840) 300 I'd burn the house down but I'd find it. 1793 Burns Scots, wha hae v, We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free! 1839 New Monthly Mag. LVI. 513 It shall go hard but we shall damage the theory. |
b. After it is marvel (obs.); it is odds; it is ten to one, and the like.
| 1583 Fulke Defence (1843) 124 It is marvel but you will say, a dead body is not altogether void of strength. 1627 H. Burton Bait. Pope's Bull To Rdr. 3 A thousand to one, but he will breake loosse. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. viii. (1668) 35 It is a thousand to one but they will find the means. 1712 Spectator No. 457 ¶3 It is ten to one but my friend Peter is among them. 1713 Steele Guardian No. 14 ¶1 It is odds but you lose. 1815 Scribbleomania 261 It is odds but he miscarries in his suit. 1864 C. M. Yonge Trial I. xii. 238 Ten to one but the police have got them. |
c. With an asseveration after an imprecation: If..not. arch. ‘Beshrew me, but I shall go’ = if I shall not go.
| 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. ii. vi. 52 Beshrew me but I loue her heartily. 1691 J. Wilson Belphegor i. iii, Beshrew me, but I should have broken my heart. 1766 Goldsmith Vic. W. vii, May this glass suffocate me, but a fine girl is worth all the priestcraft in the creation. 1775 Bickerstaff Sultan ii. i, Let me die but I believe it is their dinner. |
*** With general sense ‘that not’, L. quin. After negative and questioning constructions.
12. In a simple attributive clause belonging to a n. or pronoun in the main sentence: That..not.
| c 1500 Cocke Lorelles B. (1843) 12 There was non that there was But he had an offyce more or lasse. 1535 Coverdale 2 Kings xx. 15 There is nothynge in my treasures but I haue shewed it them. 1662 H. More Immort. Soul 66 We cannot conceive of any portion of matter but it is either hard or soft. c 1846 Spedding Even. with Rev. (1881) Hardly a man passes by but he must add a wreath to it. 1880 Daily Tel. 11 Dec., There never was a reform yet propounded..but some one pronounced it forthwith to be chimerical, extravagant, and Utopian. |
b. With omission of the pronominal subject or object of the dependent sentence, so that but acts as a negative relative: That..not, who..not. (L. quin.)
| [1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. cxli. 170 There departed none agayne, but that had great gyftes gyuen them.] 1556 J. Heywood Spider & F. lii. 4 No kind of flie a liue, but was there that day. 1587 Churchyard in Mirr. Mag. (1815) II. 490 Not one of these but gave his maister thanke. 1628 Earle Microcosm. (Arb.) 71 There is no man of worth but has a piece of singularity. 1689 Selden Table T. (1847) 210 There is no Prince in Christendom but is directly a Tradesman. 1723 De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 290 There was scarce a plantation near me but had some of them. 1760 Goldsm. Cit. W. l, There is no work whatsoever but he can criticize. 1820 Keats Lamia 665 Not a man but felt the terror in his hair. 1866 Kingsley Herew. xli. (1877) 495 Hardly one of the Frenchmen round, but..looked on Hereward as a barbarian Englishman. |
c. But what is sometimes erron. put for but: see 30.
13. Following an adjective qualified by not so. Cf. ‘So brave that he ventured’, and ‘not so brave but (that) he hesitated’.
| 1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) C vj b, There is nothyng that is so loste but that there is hope of recoveryng. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 50 There was neuer fort so strong, but it might be battered. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. ii. 538 No garden so well tilled but some noxious weeds grow up in it. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 203 ¶6 It is impossible..to make them so fast, but a cat..will find a way through them. 1814 Cary Dante (Chandos ed.) 79 Yet 'scap'd they not so covertly, but well I mark'd Sciancato. 1883 E. Gosse 17th Cent. Studies 10 Lodge was not so vagrant a person but that he had married by this time. |
14. Introducing an inevitable accompanying circumstance or result: So that..not. Now generally expressed by without and gerund: ‘you cannot look but you will see it’, i.e. without seeing it. Formerly sometimes but that.
| a 1400 Cursor M. 9654 (Laud. MS.) He may not scape where he go But him assaieþ euyr his fo. c 1400 Mandeville 40 No Straungere comethe before him, but that he makethe him sum Promys. 1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) M iv b, One unhappynes chaunceth not, but an nother foloweth. 1644 Heylin Stumbling-bl. in Hist. & Misc. Tracts 653 The Magistrate cannot be resisted, but that God is resisted, also. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies ii. i. 123 You cannot dip into a Diary but you will find it. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 12 ¶4 Scarce any couple comes together, but the nuptials are declared in the newspapers with encomiums on each party. 1796 E. Inchbald Nat. & Art xxxiii, Nor did she ever weep, but he wept too. 1835 Lytton Rienzi x. vi. 422 He had never confided but he had been betrayed. Prov. It never rains but it pours. |
† 15. a. After no sooner, where modern use requires than. (Also but that.) Obs.
| 1580 Sidney Arcadia (1613) 69 Philoclea no sooner espied the lyon but that..she leapt up, and ran to the lodge-ward. 1597 T. Beard Theat. God's Judgem. (1612) 194 It was no sooner said but done. 1749 Fielding Tom Jones vi. v. (1840) 72/1 No sooner acquainted my brother, but he immediately wanted to propose it. a 1774 Goldsm. Hist. Greece (1774) I. 265 Which Nicias had no sooner notice of, but he embarked his troops. |
† b. After scarce, scarcely; not half; not long, not far, and the like; where modern use requires when or before. Obs.
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. 230 They were scant entred, but that the frenchmen came thyder. 1563 Sackville in Mirr. Mag. R iij b, We had not long furth past, but that we sawe Blacke Cerberus. 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 32 He scarcely spake the worde, but by and by..unto her flankes they flewe. 1681 H. More Exp. Dan. ii. 35 He had scarce rub'd his eyes..but Darius fled. 1713 Addison Cato iv. iv, Scarce had I left my father, but I met him. 1725 De Foe Voy. round World (1840) 208 Nor had we received him on board half an hour, but..we put out to sea. 1727 ― Secrets Invis. World (1840) 236 He had not gone many steps more, but he saw his brother. 1800 Coleridge Piccol. i. ix, Scarce have I arrived..But there is brought to me from your equerry A splendid richly plated hunting dress. |
† c. After it was not long after, where modern use requires that.
| 1525 Ld. Berners Froiss. II. 156 It was not longe after but that the duke of Lancastre, etc. 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 182/2 It was not long after, but Eustace sonne to King Stephan..made war on duke Henrie. |
16. After it cannot be, it is impossible, it is not possible, is it possible? More fully but that.
| 1539 Cranmer Bible Luke xvii. 1 It can not be but offences wyl come [Wyclif, It is impossible that sclaundris come not; 1526 Tindale, It can not be avoyded but that offences will come; 1582 Rhem., It is impossible that scandale should not come; 1611 Bible, It is impossible but that offences will come]. 1557 North Gueuara's Diall Pr. (1582) 185 It cannot be but that the writings of such a woman..were very lively. 1621 Burton Anat. Mel. (1806) I. 161 How is it possible but that we should be discontent? 1650 R. Stapylton Strada's Low-C. Warres viii. 7 She said it was not possible but she must be in great anxiety. 1724 De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 160 It was impossible but he should see it. 1792 M. Wollstonecraft Rights Wom. Ded. 5, I think it scarcely possible but that some of the enlarged minds..will coincide with me. 1880 T. A. Spalding Eliz. Demonol. 41 It can hardly be but that the ‘thousand noses’ are intended as a satirical hit. |
¶ b. Erroneously for that, after it is not impossible, not improbable, not unlikely, etc. (Cf. 21.)
| 1665 J. Wilson Projectors iii, 'Tis not impossible but I may make my party good. 1680 Vind. Conform. Clergy (ed. 2) 38 It is not unlikely but somebody may know. 1684 N. S. Crit. Eng. Edit. Bible xviii. 184 It is not improbable but that Origen..marked the various reading. 1711 Medley No. 33 It is not impossible, but such a day as this may come, etc. 1780 Madan Thelyph. I. 3 It is not impossible but that the light of that great reformer had remained hidden under the bushel of monkery. |
17. After ('tis) pity.
| 1573 New Custom ii. iii. in Hazl. Dodsley III. 34 It were pity but thou were hanged before. 1598 Barnfield Poems (Arb.) 121 Pity but hee were a King. 1667 H. More Div. Dial. i. 64 It's pitty but what you say should be true. 1852 C. M. Yonge Cameos II. xviii. 194 Pity but we knew more of the one loyal man of his time! |
18. not but (that), elliptically = ‘it is not but that’; or perh. sometimes ‘not to say but that’; cf. next.
| 1642 R. Brooke Eng. Episc. 67 Not but that they were most worthy men. 1704 Pope Disc. Past. Poetry §10 Not but he [Spenser] may be thought imperfect on some few points. 1768 Bickerstaff Lionel & Cl. i. i, Not but your father had good qualities. Mod. Not but that I should have gone if I had had the chance. |
**** After various verbs in negative or interrogative construction, with same general sense as in prec. series (12–18). In all cases but that is a possible variant.
19. After not say, think, conceive, conclude, believe, know, see, be sure, persuade, and the like.
| a 1400 Against Miracle Plays in Rel. Ant. II. 56 Peraventure ye seyen that no man schal make ȝou to byleven but that is good. 1534 Ld. Berners Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546) E e v b, Thinke not but it dooeth brenne my heart. 1581 Styward Martial Discip. i. 28 He maie not say but that hee was forewarned. 1656 S. H. Gold. Law 89, I see not but that..one or both are undone. 1686 Goad Celest. Bodies i. ix. 33 Who knows but that Light and Cold may have kindness one for the other. 1760 Goldsm. Cit. W. xxxii, Who knows but we may see a lord holding the bowl to a minister. 1847 Blackw. Mag. LXI. 220 How could he tell but that Mildred might do the same? 1884 Times (weekly ed.) 5 Sept. 3/4, I am not sure but that there is a state of facts by which..the Constitution would be in some danger. |
¶ b. So formerly after deny, where that is now used.
| 1547 Homilies i. Fruitf. Exhort. ii. (1859) 11 Yet no man can deny, but this is the chiefe. 1575 Gascoigne Notes of Instr. (Arb.) 32, I will not denie but this may seeme a preposterous ordre. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. viii. (1668) 33, I will not deny but that it is a difficult thing. 1790 Paley Horæ Paul. i. 5, I cannot deny but that it would be easy. |
20. After fear and equivalent verbs.
| 1556 J. Heywood Spider & F. lxvii. 31 Feare not: but I, Wyll fauer and forder your sute. 1641 T. Edwards Reasons agst. Indep. 20, I doe not feare but that these few Souldiers will be able to returne againe. 1820 Blackw. Mag. VI. 684, I do not fear but that my grandfather will recover. 1879 Mrs. Oliphant Within Prec. xvii. 15 Never fear but I'll go. |
21. After doubt, despair, make no question, scruple, and the like. (Cf. L. non dubito quin.) Here that is now considered more logical.
| c 1340 Cursor M. 12322 (Trin.) She..douted nouȝt But goddes wille wolde be wrouȝt. a 1400 Against Miracle Plays in Rel. Ant. II. 51 No dowte but that it is deadly synne. 1548 Latimer Serm. Ploughers (Arb.) 37, I dout not but there were many blanchers in the olde time. 1600 O. E. (? M. Sutcliffe) Repl. Libel i. i. 23, I make no question, but they do farre excell them. 1656 Artif. Handsomeness 73 Who..scruples, but that they may lawfully be pluckt out? a 1661 Fuller Triana iii, Sabina's friends despair not but..to mould him. 1701 W. Wotton Hist. Rome 482 They questioned not but to strike terror into the Romans. 1764 Reid Inquiry iii. Wks. I. 116/2 Nor is it to be doubted, but smells..would appear to have as great variety. 1832 Carlyle in Fraser's Mag. V. 399 Who doubted but the catastrophe was over? 1857 Livingstone Trav. i. 19 We..have no doubt but it will yet spring up. 1870 Ruskin Lect. Art (1875) 87, I do not doubt but that you are surprised. |
† 22. After prevent (let), hinder, restrain, etc.; now expressed by from with the gerund, or the gerund alone. (Cf. L. nihil impedit quin or quominus.) Also after fail, miss, hold, forbear, and the like, where various constructions are now used, for which see those verbs.
An infinitive phrase often took the place of the clause.
| 1528 Perkins Prof. Bk. ii. §156 (1642) 69 These words..shall not bind him but that hee may enter. 1553 T. Wilson Rhet. 81 b, If you loke in the boke..you shal not faile but find them. 1588 R. Parke Hist. China 23 He cannot let but haue in his shop men that must worke of his occupation. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xxv. (Arb.) 308 Our maker may not be in all cases restrayned, but that he may..manifest his arte. 1610 Markham Masterp. ii. clxxii. 482 You shall not faile but..you shall spet in his mouth. 1626 G. Hakewill Comparison 29 He could not hold but let fall teares at the sight thereof. 1653 Cloria & Narcissus i. 294 Cloria..could not forbeare but plainly to tell him her thoughts. 1656 Artif. Handsomeness 70 What..hinders..but that we may study to adorn our lookes? 1713 Addison Cato iii. vii. 18 What hinders then, but that thou find her out? 1737 Whiston Josephus x. x. §2 It could not be avoided but their..colours must be changed. 1844 F. Paget Tales Village Childr. Ser. ii. (1858) 96 She cannot miss but see us. |
† b. After I see not or no cause = I see nothing to prevent. Also after there wanted but little; cf. L. parum abfuit quin. Obs.
| 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. xxi, I see not but the reste..may be borne with. 1600 O. E. (? M. Sutcliffe) Repl. Libel i. ix. 236, I see no cause..but that the Spaniardes should rather feare vs. 1658 Ussher Ann. 624 There wanted but little, but that the people had killed the Judges. |
c. After God forbid, and the like.
| 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. iv. 149 Lord it me for-bede Bote ich be holly at þyn heste. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. iii. 38 Heauen defend, but still I should stand so. |
III. In a compound sentence, connecting the two co-ordinate members; or introducing an independent sentence connected in sense, though not in form, with the preceding. In a compound sentence the second member is often greatly contracted, as in ‘Thou hast not lied unto men, but (thou hast lied) unto God’.
* In a compound sentence.
23. As adversative conjunction, appending a statement contrary to, or incompatible with, one that is negatived:
On the contrary. = Ger. sondern.
| 897 O.E. Chron., Nawðer ne on Fresisc ᵹescæpene ne on Denisc, bute swa him selfum ðuhte þæt hie nytwyrðoste beon meahten. a 1300 Cursor M. 8598 Þai had na credel ne wit to bij Bot did þair childer bi þam lij. 1393 Langl. P. Pl. C. i. 36 Þat wollen neyþer swynke ne swete bote swery grete oþes. 1593 Hooker Eccl. Pol. ii. v. §7 Wks. 1841 I. 250 Neither the matter..was arbitrary, but necessary. 1610 Healey St. Aug. City of God 581 Monkeyes, and Babiounes, were not men but beasts. 1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. 567 He left not Faction, but of That was left. 1751 Johnson Rambl. No. 141 ¶10 A reply, not to what the lady had said, but to what it was convenient for me to hear. |
24. Appending a statement which is not contrary to, but is not fully consonant with, or is contrasted with, that already made:
Nevertheless, yet, however. = Ger. aber.
| 1535 Coverdale Isa. lxiii. 16 Abraham knoweth vs not..But thou Lorde art oure father. 1691 Norris Pract. Disc. To Rdr. 5 Now we Discourse better, but we live worse. a 1703 Burkitt On N.T. Mark iv. 29 The care and endeavour is ours, but the blessing and success is God's. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 144 ¶8 Her face speaks a Vestal, but her Heart a Messalina. 1766 Goldsm. Vic. W. x, That pride which I had laid asleep, but not removed. 1821 Shelley Hellas, Life may change, but it may flie not; Hope may vanish, but can die not. 1839 Thirlwall Greece I. 351 The hopes of the Messenians sank, but not their courage. |
b. After not only, not merely (sometimes strengthened by the addition of also).
| 1382 Wyclif Petition King. &c. in Sel. Wks. III. 511 Nott oonli..medful, butt moost medeful. 1589 Puttenham Eng. Poesie i. xxiii. (Arb.) 60 It is not only allowable, but also necessary. 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece i. 18 We had time not only to see the Town, but the places circumjacent also. 1727 Swift Gulliver iv. vii, I was not only endowed with the faculty of speech, but likewise with some rudiments of reason. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 232 The ally..was not only a Roman Catholic, but a persecutor of the reformed Churches. 1866 Kingsley Herew. Prel. (1877) 15 Leofric was not merely Lord of Bourne, but Earl of Mercia. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 29 They not only tell lies but bad lies. |
** In a distinct member of a compound sentence (usually after a semicolon or colon); or at the beginning of a following sentence.
25. Introducing a statement of the nature of an exception, objection, limitation, or contrast to what has gone before; sometimes, in its weakest form, merely expressing disconnexion, or emphasizing the introduction of a distinct or independent fact, as the minor premiss of a syllogism: However, on the other hand, moreover, yet. In OE. ac, Ger. aber, L. autem.
| c 1205 Lay. 8263 Al hit þuncð him wel idon..bute nele he þe nauere Euelin mid ærhðe bi-tæchen. a 1240 Wohunge of ure L. in Cott. Hom. 277 Poure þu wunden was in a beastes cribbe; Bote swa þu eldere wex, swa þu pourere was. a 1300 K. Horn 1113 Alle dronken of þe ber Bute horn alone Nadde þerof no mone. c 1300 Beket 43 Gilbert..seide he was al to hire wille: bote he moste bithenche. c 1380 Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 220 Ȝif ȝe axen ony þing in my name, he schal ȝeve it to ȝow. But we axen in the name of Jesus, whanne we, etc. c 1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 788 (Mätz.) Now must I ga, bot drede the noght. 1548 Latimer Serm. Ploughers (Arb.) 19 But now you wyll aske me whom I cal a prelate. 1611 Bible John xix. 9 But Iesus gave him no answer. 1626 Donne Serm. iv. 36 He saw it; but but with the Eye of Hope. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. iii. vii. §5 All Animals have Sense; But a Dog is an Animal. Here but signifies little more, but that the latter Proposition is join'd to the former, as the Minor of a Syllogism. 1724 Swift Corr. Wks. 1841 II. 570 We are here preparing for your reception..but whether you approve the manner I can only guess. 1816 J. Wilson City of Plague i. i. 414 Fare ye well. But list! sweet youths, where'er you go, beware. 1848 Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 615 Feversham passed for a good-natured man: but he was a foreigner. Mod. ‘Get money; honestly, if you can: but, get money!’ |
† 26. Introducing a reply to a question: cf. the modern unemphatic why. Cf. Fr. mais, Gr. ἀλλά.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 19622 Quat art þou, lauerd, sua vnsen? Bot i hatt iesus nazaren. c 1320 Cast. Loue 809 And whuche beoþ [þe] þreo bayles ȝet..Bote þe inemaste bayle, I wot, Bi-tokenþ hire holy maidenhod. |
27. After an interjection or exclamation, as yes! but, aye! but, nay! but, ah! but, I say! but, expressing some degree of opposition, objection, or protest; but also colloquially, mere surprise or recognition of something unexpected.
| 1846 Landor Wks. I. 347 God forgive me! but I think him as worthy as the best of the saints. Mod. Ah! but he knows better than to go there. I say! but you had a narrow escape! Eh! but that's a queer story! Whew! but I am tired! Faith! but that's a poser! Come! but that's drawing it rather strong. Excuse me! but your coat is dusty. Beg pardon! but have you found a scarf on the road? |
b. Also with preceding exclamation occasionally omitted, esp. as a gallicism (cf. F. mais oui, mais énormément, etc.), used to give emphasis to a following word or statement, and with the sense of ‘indeed’.
| 1887 M. Corelli Thelma II. ii. ii. 156 ‘I believe you would do it if I asked you!’ he said. ‘But, of course!’ 1941 B. Schulberg What makes Sammy Run? viii. 153 Now you've really bitched yourself up. But good. 1960 L. Cooper Accomplices ii. ii. 84 If the other..looks like getting in the way it must be turned out, but quick. 1965 I. Fleming Man with Golden Gun vi. 81 I'm goin' fix that man, but good. |
c. Introducing an emphatic repetition.
| 1920 R. Macaulay Potterism vi. iv. 239 A weekly, and it promised to sell better than any other weekly on the market, but far better. 1921 ‘K. Mansfield’ Coll. Stories (1945) 422 She knew what it was to be in love, but-in-love! 1928 D. H. Lawrence Lady Chatt. xiv. 240 And about everything I talked to her: but everything. 1950 S. Ertz Prodigal Heart iv. 68 They're very gay, and entertain a lot and I feel years older than they are. But years older. 1958 B. Nichols Sweet & Twenties iv. 59 He sold enormously—but enormously. Ibid. x. 132 There is nothing, but nothing, to be said for the female knee. |
IV. Phrases and casual collocations.
28. but and = but also, and also: see and. Obs. exc. Sc.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 595, I haf a bow, bot and a vyre. 1382 Wyclif Wisd. xi. 2 Not onli the hurting..but and the looking bi drede slen. But and withoute these with o spirit, thei myȝten ben slayn. c 1450 Henryson Bludy Serk, Meik, bot and debonair. 1724 Ramsay Tea-T. Misc. (1733) II. 181 A kame but and a kamingstock. 1832–53 Whistle-Binkie (Sc. Songs) Ser. ii. 75 In height an ell but an' a span. |
† b. but and, but and if = but if: see and C.
| c 1385 Chaucer L.G.W. 1786 But and thow crye, or noyse make. 1535 Coverdale Matt. v. 13 But and yf the salt haue lost his saltnes. 1540 R. Hyrde Vives' Instr. Chr. Wom. (1592) G ij, But and thou array thy body sumptuously..thou canst not be excused as chast in mind. |
29. but for = except for, were it not for: see sense 1.
| c 1205 Lay. 31446 Hit likede wel þan kinge, buten for ane þinge. 1592 Shakes. Ven. & Ad. 504 These mine eyes..But for thy piteous lips no more had seen. 1667 Pepys Diary (1879) IV. 351 Several of the Council..would come but for their attending the King. 1885 Law Rep. XXIX. Ch. Div. 291 But for the concurrent jurisdiction, the decision..would have been the other way. |
† b. but for: but because, but since: see for.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. v. i. (1495) 101 That is noo wonder but for it is selden seen. 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1684) I. 462/1 But for thy shepheards wolden be excused. a 1593 Marlowe Massacr. Paris ii. v, But for you know our quarrel is no more. |
but if: see sense 10 b.
but that: see senses 8–9, 13–22, in some of which that is now obs., while in others but that is still the better form, and but is familiar or colloquial.
30. but what often occurs for but that in various senses, and is still dial. and colloq.
| 1662 H. More Immort. Soul 96 We cannot discover any immediate operation of any kind of soul..but what it first works upon, etc. 1711 Medley No. 24, I don't know one Politician but what Drunkenness wou'd make a Sot of. 1761 F. Sheridan Miss Bidulph I. 45 There are not many masters of eminence but what have a hundred originals palmed upon them more than ever they painted in their lives. Ibid. (1767) V. 45 There is not a circumstance but what is worthy to be writ in letters of gold. 1862 Trollope N. Amer. I. 47 Nor am I yet so old but what I can rough it still. 1868 M. E. Braddon Birds of Prey vi. ii. 313 Not but what his head is as clear as ever it was. 1884 Standard 22 Dec. 5/2 Not but what the picture has its darker side. [See many modern instances in F. Hall, Mod. English 262.] |
D. quasi-n. [The adv. used ellipt.] The outer room of a house; see but adv. 1 d.
E. quasi-adj. [The adv. used attrib.] Out, outer, exterior; see B. 1 c.
F. quasi-pron. The negative of who, = Lat. quin: see 12 b.
▪ II. but, n.1
The conjunction but (sense 25), used as a name for itself; hence, a verbal objection presented.
| 1571 Sempill Ballates (1872) 137 Ȝit botis & hummis declairis ȝow quhat I mene. 1614 T. Adams Divell's Banq. 139 There is a corrective But, a veruntamen, spoyles all in the vp-shot..here is a But that shipwrackes all. 1682 T. Goodwin Wks. (1864) IX. 485 The grants of grace run without ifs and ands and buts. 1752 A. Stewart in Scots Mag. (1753) Sept. 446/2 He was a sufficient but himself for all the sum. 1816 Scott Antiq. xi, ‘I heartily wish I could, but’—‘Nay, but me no buts—I have set my heart upon it.’ 1872 W. Minto Eng. Lit. 108 We are..jerked back with a ‘but’. |
▪ III. † but, n.2 Obs.
[cf. put v. (which occurs in the context), also OF. bout ‘coup’, boute ‘coup porté en boutant’ (Godef.).]
‘Putting’ the stone.
| a 1300 Havelok 1040 He maden mikel strout Abouten the altherbeste but. |
▪ IV. but, v. arch.
(bʌt)
[f. but n.1; cf. to thou.]
intr. To say or use ‘but’; also quasi-trans. in phrase ‘but me no buts’.
| 1553 [see butting vbl. n.4]. a 1625 Fletcher Hum. Lieut. i. v, Phys. Yes, you may live; but—. Leo. Finely butted, doctor. 1708 S. Centlivre Busie Bod. ii. i. 28 Cha. Sir, I obey: But—. Sir Fran. But me no Buts. 1816 [see but n.1 above]. |