Every a. (quasi-pron.)

Forms: α. 1 ǽfre ǽlc, 2 efrec, 3 æver ælc(h, æfrech, ever ech, evreche, 3–6 evere, (5 evre). β. 3 ever ulc, 3–6 ev(e)rilc, -il(k(e, (3, 4–5 north. evere -ilc, -ilke). γ. 2 æv(e)ric, æwric, efri, 3 eaver euch, æv-, eavriche, a-, efri(c(h, æv-, av-, everihc, 3–6 everich(e, -yche, (4 evreich, everuch(e, 5 evirych, evyriche, 6 ewerik), 4–7 everi(e, -ye, (4 evri, 6 ewry), 4– every. Also 5 ery, 8 (in verse and colloq.) e’ery. [OE. ǽfre ǽlc, *ǽfre ylc: see EVER adv. and EACH.

  The OE. ǽlc, ylc, was a compound of á, synonymous with ǽfre; but, owing to umlaut and contraction, the etymological force of the word had become obscured, and ǽfre was prefixed in order to express more distinctly the original sense. Although the phrase was always written in OE. (as sometimes in ME.) as two words, it had in 10th c. already come to be felt as a compound, and when it is governed by a prep. this is placed before the first of the two words. The forms marked a descend from ǽfre ǽlc, and the β forms, including the mod. every, from ǽfre ylc. It does not appear that ǽfre was prefixed to the other two words, ǽʓhwilc and ʓehwilc, which enter into the history of EACH.]

  I.  As adj. used attrib.

  1.  Used to express distributively the sense that is expressed collectively by all.

  Originally this sense was expressed by each, from which every differed only in emphasizing the element of universality in the signification. Thus Wyclif writes ‘euery langour and eche sekenesse,’ it being unnecessary to repeat the emphasis. When every had ceased to be recognizable as a compound of each, the two words were at first often used somewhat indiscriminately, but their functions were gradually differentiated. In mod. usage, every directs attention chiefly to the totality, each chiefly to the individuals composing it. It may also be observed that each usually refers to a numerically definite group, in contrast to the indefinite universality expressed by every: thus ‘Each theory is open to objection’ relates to an understood enumeration of theories, but ‘Every theory is open to objection’ refers to all theories that may exist.

  a.  followed immediately by a sb., or by a sb. preceded by a descriptive adj.; occas. with vb. in pl.

Wulfstan, Hom. (Napier), 20. Æfre ælcne neode [Man] ʓeærnað to gode sylfum ymbe.

O. E. Chron., an. 1014. And æfre ælcne Deniscne cyng, utlah of Engla lande ʓecwædon.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 135. Æuriche sunendeie, and oðre heȝe daȝen. Ibid., 139. Efri cristenne Mon.

a. 1200.  Moral Ode, 65 (Trin. MS.). Africh man mid þat he haueð mai bugge heueriche.

c. 1205.  Lay., 2378. For euer ulc [c. 1275 euerech] god mon ah his lauerdes heste to do. Ibid., 25299. Æuer ælc swein.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 4. Rihten hire and smeðen hire is … of efrich ordre þe god.

c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 13. Eauer euch wif is hire were þral.

1258.  Proclam. Hen. III. And al on þo ilche worden is isend in to æurihce oþre shcire.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3309. Euer ilk fote miht he noght blinne, To bihold þat fair maydene. Ibid. (c. 1340), 761 (Trin.). Wommon telle me whi þat ȝe eten not al comynly In paradis of euer vche tre?

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 212. In ever-ilk aperty pyghte with precyous stones.

c. 1400.  Beryn, 1779. The Burgeyse toke a-visement long on euery drauȝte.

c. 1450.  Merlin, iv. 65. Eueriche man to brynge with hym his wyf.

1500–20.  Dunbar, ‘Quhome to sall I complene my wo’, ix. Fra everilk mowth fair wirdis proceidis.

a. 1535.  More, On the Passion, Wks. 1299/1. Euery fynger shalbe a thombe.

1558.  Q. Kennedy, Compend. Tract., in Wodr. Soc. Misc. (1844), 117. Bot everilk faithfull minister to bestowe the grace quhilk God hes gevin hym.

1588.  J. Harvey, Prophecies, 51. Every right woonder, such as Moises and Elisaeus used, were neither fained apparences, or [etc.].

1606.  G. W[oodcocke], trans. Hist. Ivstine, 16 a. Discending amongst euery priuate Captaine.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. i. 62. Hee’l be hang’d yet, Though euery drop of water sweare against it.

a. 1618.  Raleigh, in Walton, Angler (1653), 67. If all the world and love were young, And truth in every Shepherds tongue?

1711.  E. Ward, Vulgus Brit., VIII. 89. E’ery willing Hero.

1763.  Garrick, in G. Colman’s Posth. Lett. (1820), 249. They have dug up Every Utensil that were in use among the Romans.

1796.  Hist. Ned Evans, II. 105. Every inhabitant, male and female, young and old, was assembled.

1820.  Southey, Life Wesley, I. 393. To see every person in his class at least once a week.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 279. In every experimental science there is a tendency towards perfection.

1860.  Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., III. 34. Feeling better in every way.

1879.  Lockyer, Elem. Astron., ix. l. 307. Every particle of matter attracts every other particle.

  b.  preceded by a possessive pronoun.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., IV. i. 87. I prophane my heart on thy euerie part. Ibid. (1610), Temp., II. i. 257. A space, whose eu’ry cubit Seemes to cry out, how [etc.]. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., I. iv. 49. Then a young Traueller … in my euery action to be guided by others experiences.

1682.  Dryden & Lee, Dk. Guise, II. ii. Your every Grace Will kill at least your thousand in a day.

1702.  Rowe, Tamerl., I. i. There my Thoughts my every Care is center’d.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), III. 97. Her every moment to find the moment critical.

1798.  Jane Austen, Northang. Abb. (1866), 95.

1812.  Coleridge, in Southey, Omniana, II. 234. The ungrateful traitor, whose every measure has been to make them still more incapable.

1835.  Beckford, Recoll., 145–6. Anger pervaded his every look and gesture.

1870.  Lowell, Study Wind., 87. The Americanism of his every thought, word and act.

1879.  J. W. Sherer, Who is Mary? 258. She turned her love over in its every aspect.

  c.  with a superl. adj. (preceded by the) interposed before the sb. Obs. or arch. (The sense would now be expressed by even the least, etc., treated as a parenthesis).

1620.  J. King, Serm., 28. Euery the least remembrance.

1659.  Bp. Walton, Consid. Considered, 73. In all the Copies extant … every the least iota and tittle is to be found.

1785.  Mrs. A. M. Bennett, Juvenile Indiscretions (1786), V. 117. Strict adherence to every the minutest part of their customs and religion.

1806–7.  J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), I. x. Every the most minute article.

1837–8.  Sir W. Hamilton, Logic, xv. (1866), I. 277. Every, the most complex, web of thought may be reduced to simple syllogisms.

  † d.  with a or an before the sb. Obs.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 510 (Gött.). Iornays … fourti mile euerilk a day.

c. 1325.  Pol. Songs (1839), 157. Everuch a parosshe heo polketh in pyne.

1352.  Minot, Poems, x. 51. God save sir Edward his right In everilka nede.

c. 1440.  Hylton, Scala Perf. (W. de W., 1494), II. xli. Eueryche a soule resonable owyth for to coueyte … nyghynge to Jhesu.

  e.  with sbs. referring to time, as day, year, etc., in advb. phrases indicating repetition (cf. EVERYDAY); also (b.) before a cardinal numeral, to indicate successive groups of objects; (c.) before an ordinal, successive intervals of action. So Every other (day, etc.), where other = ‘second.’ Also attrib. † Every other while: at alternate periods; every now and then.

  (a.)  c. 1205.  Lay., 6034. & aure alche [c. 1275 euereche] wintre inne Wales heo wuneden.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19041 (Gött.). Arli þe apostlis euer-ilke day went to þe temple for to prai.

c. 1420.  Sir Amadace (Camd.), xii. A marchand of this cite, Hade … euirych ȝere thre hundryth pownde.

c. 1440.  Promp. Parv., 141. Eryday, or eueryday, quotidie.

1570.  Levins, Manip., 196. Eueryday, quotidie.

1652.  Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 23. The keeping of … greater Armadoes every day then other.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 823/120. Tisiphone … every moment rises to the sight.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., II. § 6. The world every day grows wiser.

1796.  H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), III. 41. The two tides of six hours re-appear every day equal.

  (b.)  1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., V. ii. 278. In euery tenne [women] that they [the Gods] make, the diuels marre fiue.

a. 1626.  Bacon, New Atl. (1629), 19. Euery twelue yeares ther should be set forth … two Ships.

a. 1716.  Lady M. W. Montague, Lett. to Mrs. S., 5 Aug. Every twenty paces gives you the prospect of some villa, and every four hours a large town.

1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 176. A parliament should be held every three years.

  (c.)  c. 1400.  Maundev. (1839), xvi. 174. At euery thrydde pas þat þei gon fro here hows þei knelen.

c. 1400.  Beryn, 1256. To clothe the al new, euerich othir day.

1517.  Torkington, Pilgr. (1884), 20. Every yer or every other yer ys Chosyn a Duke.

1545.  Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. (1548), Luke iv. 98 a. An extreme tyrannous deiuill … dooeth euery other while soodainly take hym.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., III. ii. 329. This same staru’d Iustice hath done nothing but prate to me … and euery third word a Lye.

1829.  Bentham, Wks. (1843), XI. 18. The daily, more than the every other day, papers.

1884.  M. E. Wilkins, in Harper’s Mag., Oct., 793/1. She stopped … to kiss her … every other minute.

  f.  Phrases, On every side: everywhere, in every direction. In same sense, † In or on every end, on every half. Every man Jack, every mother’s son (colloq.): every single individual. Every now and then, every now and again, every once in a while [corruption of ever, etc.]: at intervals, from time to time. Every bit, every whit: altogether, entirely, quite. Every here and there: at various points or places. Every which way: (U.S.) every-way, in all directions. Also EVERY-DEAL.

c. 1205.  Lay., 5883. On æuer alchere [c. 1275 euereche] halue. Ibid., 10549. Folc hi wende an æuerælche [c. 1275 euereche] ende.

1297.  R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5952. The deneis … in euerich ende Him worrede her & þer.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 1646 (Trin.). Couetise lecchery and pride Haþ spred þis world on euery syde.

1583.  Stocker, Warres Lowe C., I. 79 a. The Spaniardes murdered euery mothers sonne of them.

1700.  S. Parker, Six Philos. Ess., 12. The Primæval Earth will be e’ery whit as ill shaped as that we poor Mortals inhabit.

1731.  Select. fr. Fog’s Wkly. Jrnl. (1732), II. 255. The Doctor was every now and then confoundedly puzzled what to do with them.

1833.  Bp. Thirlwall, in Philol. Mus., II. 240. The theory will every now and then become the foundation of the history.

1840.  Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xxxix. ‘Every one of ’em,’ replied Dennis, ‘Every man Jack.’

1859.  Sir G. W. Dasent, Popular Tales fr. Norse, 347. Every man Jack of them are so sound asleep.

1860.  Bartlett, Dict. Amer., s.v., Every once in a while.

1872.  ‘Mark Twain,’ Roughing It, xxxvii. 262 (in Farmer, Americanisms). He put on the pack saddle … and then wound a rope all over and about it and under it, ‘every which way.’

1883.  P. Robinson, Fishes of Fancy, 90. Every now and again the ear could catch the sudden splash of pike meeting pike.

  † 2.  With plural sb. (chiefly with defining word interposed): All severally (cf. Gr. ἔκαστοι). Obs.

1558.  Q. Eliz., in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. App. i. 2. Subjects of every the said Kingdomes.

1591.  F. Sparry, trans. Cattan’s Geomancie, 68. Of the head and of euery things therein contayned.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., V. i. 249. I’le resolue you … of euery These happend accidents.

1623.  Bingham, Xenophon, 126. Taking Polycrates the Athenian Captaine with him, and a man from euery the Coronels.

1627.  W. Sclater, Exp. 2 Thess. (1629), 256. Wee are still seruants of God, and owe him obedience according to euery his morall commands.

1671.  H. M., trans. Erasm. Colloq., 91. Every several Troups have their Ensignes.

  3.  With loss of distributive sense: = ‘All possible,’ ‘the utmost degree of.’

[1783.  Ld. Percy, in G. Rose’s Diaries (1860), I. 58. Every domestic ease … that a mortal could enjoy.]

Mod.  I feel every respect for him. They showed him every consideration. There is every prospect of success.

  4.  In senses now commonly expressed by each. a. In Every man, used to distribute a plural. (arch.) † b. Each of two (obs. exc. dial.).

1526–34.  Tindale, Matt. xx. 9. They … came and receaved every man a peny. [So in 1611 and R.V.]

1599.  Thynne, Animadv. (1875), 50. They dyd ryde one euerye syde of hym.

1632.  Lithgow, Trav., X. 455. The Sergeants, and the two slaues, thrust on euery ancle an heauy bolt.

1880.  Antrim & Down Gloss., s.v., There’s a chimley on every en’ o’ the house.

  † 5.  = ANY; in sentences expressing possibility.

1552.  Huloet, s.v., Euerye man, quilibet.

1577.  B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., IV. (1586), 180 b. When euerie season suffereth them [bees] not to be abroad, they must at such times bee fedde.

1760.  Goldsm., Cit. W., xxv. The weakness of the wall which every earthquake might overturn.

  II.  absol. (quasi-pron.)

  † 6.  Everybody, every one. Obs.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 4. Vor euerich schal holden þe uttre efter þet þe licome mei best mid hire serui þe inre.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2355. Euerilc he kiste, on ilc he gret.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 102. Fuyr schal preve þe werke of everyche.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wife’s Prol., 103. Every hath of God a propre gifte, Som this, som that, as him likith.

1475.  Caxton, Jason. Euerich hadde well eten and dronken raysonably.

1502.  Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 4. That euerich admyttyd in to the lybarte of the cite be of certayn crafte or office.

  7.  Each, or every one, of (several persons or things). Formerly often with verb in pl. Obs. exc. in legal documents.

1388.  Wyclif, Matt. xx. 9. Thei token eueryche of hem a peny.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xii. (Tollem. MS.). Þe wit þat takeþ hede to many þingis takeþ þe lasse hede to eueriche þerof.

c. 1430.  Cookery Bks., 20. Temper it vppe wyth almaunde mylke, & do euery of hem in a potte.

1486.  in Surtees Misc. (1890), 47. Hertly I pray you, and everych of you.

1512.  Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 10. All other thinges comprised in the same Indentures and letres patentes and in everych of them.

1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, I. lxxviii. 116. Euery of the sayde ioyntes are of the quantitie of a wheate Corne.

1658.  Slingsby, Diary (1836), 420. Promissing to them and every of them rewards and summes of money.

1665.  J. Sergeant, Sure-footing, 224. Every of whose Words and Actions were infinitely to be admir’d.

1722.  De Foe, Plague (1754), 49. Every of the said Chirurgeons shall have Twelvepence a Body searc[h]ed by them.

  b.  esp. in phrase All and every (= L. universi et singuli). The phrase is also occas. used in concord with a sb. in sing. or pl.

1502.  Gt. Charter, in Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 223. That the chartur aforsaid in alle and euerych her articles … be obserued.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 182. Let vs all & eueryche of vs in all our distresse … ron to that trone of mercy.

1570.  Grindal, Rem. (1843), 149. That all and every of the said vicars have a Bible.

1655.  Marq. Worcester, in Dircks, Life (1865), 390. Use these seals to all and every of the purposes aforesaid.

1826.  Bentham, in Westm. Rev., VI. 473. To all and every the children and child of the said intended marriage.

1845.  Act 8 & 9 Vict., c. 119. Sched. ii, The said covenantor, his heirs, executors, or administrators, and all and every other person whosoever.

  † c.  Each (of two). Obs.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 2378, Philomene. In armes everych of hem [Philomela and Progne] other taketh.

1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XXI. 77. A cacchepol … craked a-two here legges of euerich of þo þeoues.

a. 1502.  in Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 300. It was decreed by the sayd arbitrours, that eueryche off my Lordis of Glouceter and of Winchester shulde take ethir other by the hand.

1560.  Frampton, in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xx. 232. Two Men covered with White Canvas Coats … and every of them a Vizard upon their Faces.

1578.  Lyte, Dodoens, V. ii. 547. There be two sortes of Blites … and euery of them is diuided againe into two kindes.

  † 8.  Distributing a plural. Obs.; = EACH.

c. 1300.  Beket, 671. Forto do everech his beste to wende ech in his side.

c. 1430.  Cookery Bks., 27. Take a porcyon of pouder of Clowys, of Gyngere, of Graynys of Perys, of Euery a porcyon.

c. 1440.  Douce MS. 55 xxxix. Cast … broth and water and wyn of everiche a quantite.

1485.  Caxton, Paris & V., 16. Goo ye eueryche under that baner that he wyl mayntene.

  III.  Combinations.

  † 9.  Every other. = Each other: used as a reciprocal pronoun. (In early use every is subj. and other obj.; later the phrase appears as a compound.) Obs.

1154.  O. E. Chron., an. 1135. Æuric man sone ræuede oþer þe mihte.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 7. We luuien ure efrec oðer us bi-twenen swa we weren broðre.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 719, Tisbe. The name of everych gan to othyr sprynge. Ibid. (c. 1386), Pars. T., 128. The lovyng children … wolden everych of hem eten other if thay mighten.

1413.  Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, V. xiv. (1483), 105. They saiden graces wonder ioyfully takyng eueriche other by the hand.

1594.  Kyd, Cornelia, V. in Hazl., Dodsley, V. 242. They ran at ever-each other hand and foot.

  10.  Every one. (In 16–17th c. the form everych one was often divided every chone.)

  † a.  adj. = sense 1 a. Obs.

1548.  Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke, 103 b. Euery one man ought to be neighbour to an other.

  b.  adj. absol. With reference to a sb. or pron. going before, which it usually distributes; or followed by of. Often incorrectly with pl. vb. Sometimes = Each (of two things).

c. 1225.  Ancr. R., 18. Blescið ou mid euerichon of ðeos gretunges.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 185. Ilk kinnes erf, and wrim, and der … And euerilc on in kinde good.

c. 1320.  R. Brunne, Medit., 132. With hym þey ryse everyche-one.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 502. Evere ilk one of þese parties is þo same Gods body.

c. 1430.  Hymns Virg. (1867), 48. We schulen foonde euery-choon.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 121. He commaundes you everilkon, To hold no kyng bot hym alon.

1503.  Sheph. Kalender, xlvii. I shall them soon vanquish every chone.

a. 1535.  More, On the Passion, Wks. 1389/1. To haue hadde theym taken and slayne euerye chone.

1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 216. The sinne of Adam … is in al men, ane seueral and peculiar sinne in euerilk ane.

1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 223. The under lip five, every one of the cheeks ten.

1611.  Bible, Num. xvi. 3. All the Congregation are holy euery one of them.

a. 1680.  Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 14.

1699.  Bentley, Phal., Pref. 89. Every one [of these Passages] are true.

  c.  pron. Everybody; sometimes written as one word. The pron. referring to every one is often pl.: the absence of a sing. pron. of common gender rendering this violation of grammatical concord sometimes necessary.

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 252. Muchel neod is þet euerichon holde mid oðer, mid bisie bonen.

c. 1340.  Cursor M., 10047 (Trin.). Þe chastite of þis lady Ouercomeþ … Gredines of eueruchon.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), VII. 125. Euerichon loked to hym self.

1526.  Skelton, Magnyf., 1055. Cryst save everychone.

1556.  J. Heywood, Spider & F., A iij. Tyll euerie one, had mocked euerichone.

1695.  Woodward, Nat. Hist. Earth, Pref. ’Tis impossible for me to foresee the Difficulties and Hæsitations of every one.

1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., IV. § 21. I. 255. Every one knows, that Analogy is a Greek Word.

1735.  Johnson, trans. Lobo’s Voy. to Abyssinia, 99. Every one Sacrifices a Cow or more, according to their different Degrees of Wealth or Devotion.

1870.  Dasent, Eventful Life (ed. 4), I. 1. Every one had made up their minds that I was to be one thing, and I came out another.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 479. Those familiar words … are in the mouth of every one.

1877.  W. H. Mallock, New Repub. (1878), 94. Everyone then looked about them silently, in suspense and expectation.

  11.  In parasynthetic derivatives, as every-colo(u)red.

1744.  Thomson, Spring, 726. The Peacock spreads His every-colour’d Glory to the Sun.

  12.  Combined with adverbs, as EVERYHOW, EVERYWHERE, etc., and with substantives, in which the combination is usually written as one word, the sense of the substantive being weakened; as EVERYBODY, EVERYTHING, etc.

  ¶ 13.  The form ever each, surviving in archaistic use till 16th c., was corrupted into every each, which often appears in late editions of 15th-c. texts (where the originals had evereche, everych, or the like), and hence has occas. been used arch. by recent writers.

c. 1430.  Lydg., Bochas, I. xix. (1554), 35 b. Sampson … toke their [foxis] tailes knit them twein and twein And amid euery eche he set a fire-bronde.

1477.  Norton, Ord. Alch., i. in Ashm. (1652), 21. Everie each of Foure were Gold and like a Knight.

1567.  Maplet, Gr. Forest, 29. And euery eche moment at death his nod and beck.

1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 375. Every each other day he suffereth one sickness or other.

1609.  C. Butler, Fem. Mon., vii. (1623), R iij b. But for the most part they die euery each one.

1634.  Malory’s Arthur, I. xxvii. (1816), I. 49. Every each of them [1470 everyche of hem] did him homage.

1864.  A. J. Munby, in Once a Week, 26 Nov., 639/1. Now every each hath pass’d the bar.

  Every, obs. var. of IVORY.