adv. Obs. or dial. Also 3–4 allegate, 4– algates. [lit. alle gate = every way: see GATE sb.2 Cf. ON. alla götu, and Ormin’s whatt gate what way? how? The extended form algates began in the n. e. c. 1300; the -s was probably analogical, after always, etc. (originally genitive). As no difference of meaning appears between algate and algates, they are not here separated.]
1. Of circumstance and time: Always, continually.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 23. Wunede mid his apostles for to þe fowertuðe dai, noht alegate, ac stund-mele.
c. 1320. R. Brunne, Medit., 358. He bad hem algates wake and pray.
1388. Wyclif, 2 Cor. v. 6. We ben hardi algatis [1611 alwayes confident].
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., II. viii. 188. We ouȝten algatis abstene and forbere.
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (1880), 20. Through thy freendlye trauaile mee dooth King Iuppiter algats Tender.
1587. Holinshed, Chron., II. i. 59. These strangers in Ireland would algate now be also called and accompted Normans.
2. In every way, any way, any how; by all or any means.
c. 1230. Ancr. R., 398. Ȝif þi luue nis nout forto ȝiuen, auh wult allegate þet me bugge hire.
a. 1330. Sir Otuel, 69. And seide, algate he wolde preue, That Ich am in misbeleue.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. vi. That ye algates desyre to haue a do.
a. 1450. Myrc, 1560. Algate make hym telle the.
1565. Jewel, Repl. Harding (1611), 36. The Host once Consecrated of the Priest, is algates to bee receiued, whether of many together, or one alone.
1580. G. Harvey, Three Witie Lett. Seeing you gentlewomen will allgates have it so.
3. At all events, at any rate, in any case; whatever may happen.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sompn. T., 329. I deme the, thou most algate be deed.
c. 1430. Lydg., Bochas. That we algate shall dye bothe two.
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de Worde), I. l. 90. Algates he wolde haue the freres on the lefte honde.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, II. (1710), iii. 80. Now haist my pane, sen al gatis I mon de.
1600. Fairfax, Tasso, II. xlii. 47. For a space there must he algates dwell.
4. All the way, altogether.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron., 185. Philip now wille me faile, & alle gate wend me fro.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqrs. T., 238. Which is vnknowe algates vnto me [v.r. algat, -e].
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., 395. This IXe trouthe is Algatis to be holde.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 2. Una now he algates must forgoe.
1625. L’Isle, Du Bartas, 60. When algate the top of this Tower had raught unto the clouds.
5. Of sequence: However that may be; yet, nevertheless, notwithstanding, after all.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 16392. Him haf algat we will.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., 291. Although ther be difference betueen these tuo causes of drenching, algates the schip is dreynt.
c. 1450. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, in Babees Bk. (1868), 142. Mynse hem smalle in þe siruppe: of fumosite algate be ye feerynge.
1570. Thynne, Pride & Lowl. (1841), 36. Alas, quoth I, this is great crueltye: All gate, I bad them all be of good cheere.
1614. W. Browne, Sheph. Pipe, Wks. 1772, 22. I have a fear and dread algate.
6. Of place: Everywhere. (This is now the common meaning of the word in the northern dialects, in which alone it survives, along with the cognate any gate, na-gate, sumgate.)
