Online dictionaryOnline dictionary
Synonyms, antonyms, pronunciation

  Home 		English Dictionary      examples: 'day', 'get rid of', 'New York Bay'




As it were   /æz ɪt wər/   Listen
adverb
as  adv., conj.  
1.
Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden. "His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren." Note: As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do." As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest.
2.
In the idea, character, or condition of, limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet. "The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king."
3.
While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke. "As I return I will fetch off these justices."
4.
Because; since; it being the case that. "As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms... they were not indifferently prepared." (See Synonym under Because.)
5.
Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning). "We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited."
6.
That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. (Obs.) "I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee."
So as, so that. (Obs.) "The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination."
7.
As if; as though. (Obs. or Poetic) "He lies, as he his bliss did know."
8.
For instance; by way of example; thus; used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
9.
Than. (Obs. & R.) "The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors."
10.
Expressing a wish. (Obs.) "As have," Note: i. e., may he have.
As... as. See So... as, under So.
As far as, to the extent or degree. "As far as can be ascertained."
As far forth as, as far as. (Obs.)
As for, or As to, in regard to; with respect to.
As good as, not less than; not falling short of.
As good as one's word, faithful to a promise.
As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if.
As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.
As now, just now. (Obs.)
As swythe, as quickly as possible. (Obs.)
As well, also; too; besides.
As well as, equally with, no less than. "I have understanding as well as you."
As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


Advanced search
     Find words:
Starting with
Ending with
Containing
Matching a pattern  

Synonyms
Antonyms
Quotes
Words linked to  

only single words


Share |
Add this dictionary
to your browser search bar




"As it were" Quotes from Famous Books



... most noble ornament and the highest improvement of the human mind. It is by learning that all the natural faculties of the mind obtain an eminent degree of perfection. The memory is exceedingly improved by appropriate exercise, and becomes, as it were, a storehouse of names, facts, entire discourses, etc., according to every one's exigency or purposes. The understanding—the light of the soul—is exceedingly improved by exercise, and by the acquisition of solid science and ...
— Public School Education • Michael Mueller
... contumacious and stubborn in his ways, contemning the power of the Church. Then are all the church doors shut up, let the city be never so great; no masses are said; no prayers are used; no preaching permitted; no meetings allowed for any public devotion; no calling upon God. The Church mourns, as it were, and makes no show of spiritual joy and comfort, nor of any communion of prayers one with another, so long as the party remains stubborn and rebellious in his sin and scandal, and in not yielding to ...
— Mexico and its Religion • Robert A. Wilson
... thirty-second verse," continued Miss Harson, "it is written that he overlaid them with gold, 'and spread gold upon the cherubim, and upon the palm trees.' 'They were thus planted, as it were, within the very house of the Lord; and their presence there was not only ornamental, but appropriate and highly suggestive—the very best emblem not only of patience in well-doing, but of the rewards of the ...
— Among the Trees at Elmridge • Ella Rodman Church
... sacrifices. But in chapter x. Paul deals with the case in which the meat had been bought in the flesh-market, and so was not necessarily sacrificial. Paul's manner of handling the point is very instructive. He envelops, as it were, the practical solution in a wrapping of large principles; verses 23, 24 precede the specific answer, and are general principles; verses 25-30 contain the practical answer; verses 31-33 and verse 1 of the next chapter are again general principles, wide and imperative ...
— Expositions of Holy Scripture: Romans Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V) • Alexander Maclaren
... Africa which are washed by the Mediterranean sea, possess strong and peculiar attractions for the traveller. It is only necessary to name Egypt, to call up associations with the most remote antiquity,—knowledge, civilization, and arts, at a period when the rest of the world had scarcely, as it were, burst into existence. From the earliest records to the present day, Egypt has never ceased to be an interesting country, and to afford rich materials for the labours, learning, and researches of travellers. The rest of the Mediterranean coast of Africa, where Carthage first exhibited to the world ...
— Robert Kerr's General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 18 • William Stevenson


More quotes...


Copyright © 2025 Dictionary One.com