Ever

//ˈɛvə// adj, adv, det, slang

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan. not-comparable

    "This family empathy measure is highly related to ever use of birth control but not to any measure of continuous use."

Adverb
  1. 1
    Always, frequently, forever. archaic, formal, not-comparable

    "It was ever thus."

  2. 2
    Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration). not-comparable

    "People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living."

  3. 3
    At any time. not-comparable

    "We've only ever talked on the phone."

  4. 4
    As intensifier following an interrogative word. informal, not-comparable

    "Was I ever glad to see you!"

  5. 5
    Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before. Manglish, Singlish, not-comparable

    "but i ever ran 5mins using the 1400 cells and the type RR 23T motor..."

Adverb
  1. 1
    at all times; all the time and on every occasion wordnet
  2. 2
    at any time wordnet
  3. 3
    (intensifier for adjectives) very wordnet
Determiner
  1. 1
    Shortening of every dialectal, informal

    ""Ever place you look there's houses and more houses.""

Etymology

Etymology 1

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”). 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”).

Etymology 2

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”). 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”).

Etymology 3

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”). 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”).

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