ever
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Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
ever
- /ˈɛvə(ɹ)/
Rhymes with -ɛvə(ɹ)
Where it comes from
From Middle English ever, from Old English ǣfre, originally a phrase whose first element undoubtedly consists of Old English ā (“ever, always”) + in (“in”) + an element possibly from feorh (“life, existence”) (dative fēore). Compare Old English ā tō fēore (“ever in life”), Old English feorhlīf (“life”) from feorh (“life”) + līf (“life”).
Sense 5 of the adverb was likely formed by association with never, which also carries the meaning of did not in colloquial Singaporean and Malaysian English. Also, compare Chinese 有 … 過 /有 … 过 (yǒu ... guò / jau⁵ ... gwo³, “has […] before”).
adverb euer · e'er · ev'r · eva · evah · eva'
- Always, frequently, forever. It was ever thus.
- Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration). People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.
- At any time. We've only ever talked on the phone.
- As intensifier following an interrogative word. Was I ever glad to see you!
- Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before. but i ever ran 5mins using the 1400 cells and the type RR 23T motor...
Similar: the dickens
adjective euer · e'er · ev'r · eva · evah · eva'
- Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan. This family empathy measure is highly related to ever use of birth control but not to any measure of continuous use.
determiner euer · e'er · ev'r · eva · evah · eva'
- Shortening of every "Ever place you look there's houses and more houses."
