Forms: 1–3 allswá, al-swá, (WS. 1–2 ealswá). North. 2–6 alswa (alsua), 4–5 alsa, alse, 4–7 als, 4– as. Midl. 3–4 alswo, alsuo, 3–6 also, 4–6 alse, als, 3– as, (4–5 os). South. 2–3 alse, 2–4 ase, 2– as. [A worn-down form of all-so, OE. all-swá ‘wholly so, quite so, just so,’ which in its simple demonstrative use remains dissyllabic (see ALSO), but as a relative and antecedent has been phonetically weakened through alswá, alsa, alse, als, as, and alswá, alswo, also, alse, ase, as, to (æz). This phonetic weakening, in each of its successive stages, began with the relative sense, whence it extended to the other senses: even the weak demonstrative was reduced in north. dial. to als, but remains also in standard Eng. The correlation in ‘the color is as bright as gold,’ where the first as is demonstrative or antecedent, and the second relative, ‘in that degree bright, in which degree gold (is bright),’ was originally expressed by so—so, OE. ‘swá beorht swá gold’; but the antecedent or principle form was also strengthened by all, ‘all swá beorht swá gold’; constructions which long survived in the south, as ‘sō briht sŏ (se) gold,’ and ‘al sŏ (alse) briht sŏ (se) gold.’ The prefixed all, though originally emphatic (= altogether, quite, even), soon lost its force, and al-swá, al-so came to imply no more than the simple swá, sō. Hence, by 1200 (in the north) alswa had begun to appear in the subordinate clause likewise, ‘alswa brihht alswa gold,’ a construction soon generally adopted, though almost always with the relative in a phonetically weaker form than the antecedent, e.g., ‘alswa briht alse gold, also briht alse gold, alse briȝt ase gold, als bricht as gold,’ but finally with both correlatives worn down, ‘as bright as gold.’ Alse, ase, as was even substituted as the relative, when the original swá, so remained as the antecedent, whence the mod. ‘not so bright as gold,’ OE. ná swá beorht swá gold, 13th c. southern Eng. ‘nowht so briht sŏ (se) gold,’ and ‘nowht so briht alse (ase) gold.’
With the wearing down of al-so to as, cf. mod. Ger. also, als, in ‘also bald als er kam’ = ME. ‘all-so sone als he com,’ mod. ‘as soon as he came.’
With many common adjectives and adverbs as (als, etc.) was formerly written in combination, especially in idiomatic constructions, e.g., asmuch, aswell, asfaste, assoon, astite; relics of this survive in forasmuch, inasmuch, whereas.]
The uses of as are here considered, A. in the main sentence, B. in the subordinate sentence, C. in phrases. At the end of B. are some phraseological combinations originating in ellipsis.
A. In a main sentence, as Antecedent or Demonstrative Adverb.
† I. With so in the relative clause. Obs.
As (alswa, also, alse, als, ase) … so (swa, so, se).
† 1. Of quantity or degree: In that degree, to such extent … (in or to which) … Obs.
a. 1000. Ælfric, Hom., in Thorpe, Anal., 61. Seo beorhtnys is ealswá eald swá þæt fýr.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 157. Alse raðe se he walde.
c. 1205. Lay., 9968. Al swa longe swa þe woreld stondeð.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 395. Al so ofte so he wolde.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2329. Ase loude so he … miȝte; to ys men criede he there.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. VIII. 232. A court as cleer so þe sonne.
a. 1450. Myrc, 394. Þenne schale þe husbonde als blyue Teche & preche so hys wyue.
1532. Dice Play (1850), 13. Not always as well so I would wish.
† 2. Of quality or manner: In that way, in such wise … (in which) … Obs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 25. Al swa he doð swa þe swica. Ibid., 159. Alswa se þe sunne drach up þene deu.
c. 1200. Ormin, Ded. 281. And all all swa se Godes Lamb … mihhte.
II. With as also in the relative clause:
As (alswa, also, alsa, alse, als, ase, as) … as (alswa, etc.).
3. Of quantity: In that degree; to that extent … (in or to which) … Expressing the Comparative of Equality: as good as gold; as wise as fair; as strong as ever; as soon as you can; and in innumerable proverbial similes, as black as jet, as brave as a lion, etc.
c. 1175. Cott. Hom., 239. Alse lange alse ȝé lefede &… alse longe as íc lefic.
c. 1220. Hali Meid., 5. Syon [is] ase muchel on englische leodene ase heh sihðe.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 823. Als fast als þai had don þat sinne. Ibid., 7526. Þar he stod als still os stake.
c. 1314. Guy Warw., 87. Also litel als he may.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 984. Al-so salt as ani se.
c. 1325. Cœur de L., 2524. Alsoo faste As quarrel off the arweblast.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. IV. 195. Als longe as owre lyf lasteth.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 287. Al so lene was his hors as is a rake.
c. 1420. Amadace, xli. Als gay Als any erliche mon.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VIII. 165. Alsa frely as before.
1485. Caxton, Paris & V. (1868), 63. Also sick as she was.
1530. Sarum Man., in Maskell, Mon. Rit., II. 295. Alse often as thei be … required.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. 10. As round as a ball.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 111. Als far as apperteins to ye office.
1608. Armin, Nest Ninn., 11. He was as dead as a doore nayle.
1701. W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, Alex. iii. 504. He was as covetous as cruel.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 155, ¶ 5. As busy as possible.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 275. He used it, as far as he dared.
1879. Black, Macleod of D., xxvi. He was as mad as a hatter about her.
† 4. Of quality: In that very way, in such wise … (in which) … Obs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 153. He his sunnen undeð … alswa alse he heom haueð idon.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 36. And eft biginneð … also, ase er.
1340. Ayenb., 137. Alsuo ase þe zoþe milde hereþ þe oþre … alsuo he blameþ him zelve.
III. With relative clause wanting.
5. In qualifications of degree (cf. 3) the relative clause may be elliptically absent, especially where it expresses: a. ‘as that or those just mentioned.’ Here, as in the principal sentence may be rendered by equally.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 339. And he loved him as tendurly agayn.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, IX. 4125. Kyng Sapmon … With alsmony abill shippes auntrid hym seluyn.
1509. Barclay, Shyp of Folys (1874), II. 81. Thoughe he be good, yet other ar als bad.
1551. Turner, Herbal (1568), 119. Galene sayeth that clinopodium is hote and dry in the thyrde degre, but our clinopodium is not al so hote.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 113, ¶ 4. Chance has … thrown me very often in her way, and she as often has directed a Discourse to me.
Mod. ‘Come forward.’ ‘Thank you! I hear quite as well where I am.’
b. ‘as not,’ ‘as the opposite course,’ ‘as anything else’; e.g., in as lief, as soon (as not). As good, as well: see C. phrases.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, V. iii. I’d as lieve let it alone.
c. ‘as can be imagined,’ ‘as may be,’ ‘as possible,’ cf. L. quam in quam maximum, etc. Esp. in AS-FAST, AS SOON, AS-TITE, ALSWITHE, q.v.
B. In a subordinate sentence, as a Relative or Conjunctive Adverb, introducing a clause which expresses I. II. the mode (manner and degree), whence also III. the time, place, IV. reason, V. purpose, result, of the principal sentence; passing into VI. a relative pronoun, a relative particle, VII. a merely subordinating conjunction, and VIII. a limiting or restrictive particle.
I. Of quantity or degree. (Preceded by adjective or adverb.)
1. With antecedent as (alswa, alswo, also, alse, als, etc.):… in which degree, to what extent. Expressing with antecedent as, the Comparative of Equality.
[See A. II. 3, all the quotations for which also illustrate this.]
b. Expressing a comparison with a hypothetical fact or state expressed by the subjunctive: As if, as though. (Cf. 9.) arch.
1366. Maundev., As wel as thei had ben of the same Contree.
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeless, III. 46. Thanne cometh þer a congioun … As not of his nolle as he þe nest made.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Jew Malta, I. i. 59. Will serve as well as I were present there.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, V. 325. As certain of success As he had made a league with Victory.
2. With antecedent so (swa, swo) in the same sense as 1.
a. esp. in negative sentences.
c. 1220. Ureisun, in Cott. Hom., 187. Hwi ne fele ich þe in mi breostes swo swote ase þu art.
1366. Maundev., ix. 107. The cytee is not now so gret, as it was wont to be.
1595. Shaks., John, V. v. 21. The day shall not be vp so soone as I.
1818. Scott, Rob Roy. You have never so much as answered me.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. i. 10. No country suffered so much … as England.
b. in certain affirmative sentences. (See SO.)
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 37. A child so lufand as thou art.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., II. i. 83. Looke I so pale, Lord Dorset, as the rest? Ibid. (1605), Macb., I. ii. 43. So well thy words become thee, as thy wounds.
1690. Locke, Hum. Und. I shall be pardoned for calling it by so harsh a name as madness.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 82. To think I should act so barbarously as I did.
18[?]. Macaulay, Essays, IV. 146. In a world so full of temptation as this.
a. 1850. Longf. So long as you are innocent fear nothing.
1855. Tennyson, Maud, I. xix. ii. When did a morning shine So rich in atonement as this?
3. With antecedent as (so) suppressed:
a. Giving emphasis or absoluteness to the attribute or qualification.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom. Fair alse mone, icoren alse sune.
1382. Wyclif, Song Sol. vi. 10. Faire as the moone, chosen as the sunne, ferful as of tentes sheltrun ordeyned.
1590. Shaks., Mids. N., I. i. 144. Momentarie as a sound: Swift as a shadow, short as any dreame, Briefe as the lightening.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 5. Soone as the royall virgin he did spy.
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 138. Soon as they forth were come.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 241. My good Lady … made me proud as proud can be.
1835. Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 288. His favourite Lucy should be rich as fair.
Mod. Quick as thought, Roger seized the oar.
b. esp. In parenthetical clauses forming an extension of the subject or predicate, the antecedent (so, as) formerly present is now omitted, and the relative has acquired somewhat of a concessive force = Though, however.
1297. R. Glouc., 47. To brynge vs, so fre as we beþ, in to fyl seruage.
c. 1300. in Wright, Pop. Sc., 137. And ȝut as gret as urthe and as lute as heo is, Ther nis bote, [etc.].
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XIV. 185. So wis as þow art holde … so wide as þow regnest.
1622. Heylin, Cosmogr., III. (1673), 114/1. As Pet. Ramas (as great a Clerk as he was) … hath most vainly told us.
1641. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 37. I took leave of … Antwerp, as late as it was, embarking for Brussels.
1727. Swift, Wond. Wonders, Wks. 1755, II. II. 52. The world, as censorious as it is, hath been so kind, [etc.].
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 45. Bad as his Actions were … would there not have been, [etc.]?
1835. Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 534. Fair as she is, I would my widow take.
† 4. After the comparative degree = Than. Obs. exc. in dialects. (Cf. Ger. so … als, besser als, L. tam … quam, plus quam.)
1460. Paston Lett., 363, I. 534. I hadde never more neede … as I have at this tyme.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, II. xii. (xi.) 110. Quhat mair hard mischance … Apperit to me as that?
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. ccii. 238. They coude do no better … as to make to their capitayne sir Eustace Damlreticourt.
1568. Marr. Wit & Wisd. (1846), 27. I had rather haue your rome as your componie.
1653. Urquhart, Rabelais, II. xxxii. (D.). I … never made better cheer in my life as then.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, ii. (D.). I rather like him as otherwise.
II. Of quality or manner. (Preceded by a verb.)
* With antecedent expressed.
† 5. With antecedent as (alswa, alsa, also, alse, als, etc.):… in which way, in the way that. Obs.
[See A. II. 4; the quotations for which also illustrate this.]
6. With antecedent so (swa, swo), or an equivalent phrase containing such, same:… in the manner that … arch. (So is now usually omitted: see 8.)
See so … as … of result, infra V.
c. 1205. Lay., 6753. And swa he þer agon ase þe oðer hæfde idon.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 117. So as I shall rehercen The tides of the yere diversen.
1580. Lyly, Euphues (1636), H iv. God will so blesse you, as … your hearts can wish.
1611. Bible, Gen. xviii. 5. So doe, as thou hast said.
Mod. The committee was not so constituted as he had expected.
7. With the clauses transposed for emphasis; as … so: a. In what manner … (in that manner); in the way that.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. cii. 15. As the flour of the feld so he shal floure out.
c. 1420. Liber Cocorum, 38. As I tolde byfore, so have þou cele.
1611. Bible, Isa. xxiv. 2. It shall be as with the people, so with the priest, as with the seruant, so with his master, [etc.].
1614. R. Tailor, Hog hath lost Pearl, in Dodsl., O. P. (1780), VI. 400. As she brews so let her bake.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 49. As the Cold Congeals into a Lump the liquid Gold; So ’tis again dissolv’d by Summer’s Heat.
1860. Trench, Serm. Westm. Ab., xi. 117. As our speech is, so we are.
b. In proportion or degree as.
1541. Elyot, Image Govt., 8. As they excelled in abhominacion, so preferred he theim.
c. Even as, just as; both … and, equally … and. Lat. cum … tum. arch.
1602. Fulbecke, Pandectes, 69. A thing as ancient, so necessarie.
1607. Schol. Disc. agst. Antichr., I. i. 28. Shee hath as bewayld, so also renounced her former countrey.
1635. Naunton, Fragm. Reg., 200, in Phœnix (1707), I. As he was a great soldier, so was he of suitable magnanimity.
1713. Derham, Phys. Theol., IV. x. (1752), 173. As they are the most pernicious of birds so are they the most rare.
1837. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph., xxviii. (1870), II. 173. As some philosophers have denied to vision all perception of extension … so others have equally refused this perception to touch.
** With antecedent not expressed.
8. = with antecedent so omitted: a. … in the manner or way that … As you were! (in Drill): ‘Return to the position in which you were before!’ As it stands: taken or considered as it now is.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 17. Heore uuel … þu aȝest to … wiðstewen ȝif þu miht al swa hit is nu laȝe a londe.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 2212. Iosepes men ðor quiles deden Al-so Iosep hem adde beden.
a. 1300. Havelok, 306. Shal it nouht ben als sho thenkes, Hope maketh fol man ofte blenkes.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. Prol. 120. To tilie and trauaile as trewe lyf askeþ.
1535. Coverdale, Ezra vi. 9. There shalbe geuen them daylie as is acordinge.
1611. Bible, John xv. 12. That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
1625. Markham, Souldier’s Accid., 21. To reduce any of these words of direction to the same order or station in which the Souldier stood before … you shall say … As you were.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. xiii. 103. An Englishman … thought he might insult Scotchmen as he pleased.
1832. Carlyle, Remin. (1881), I. 15. Let me write my books as he built his houses. Ibid. (1865), Fredk. Gt., VI. (1873), 29. General amicable As-you-were between Austria and Bavaria.
1882. Times, 5 July, 11/4. The oath, as it stands, is and ought to be a religious test.
b. To the same extent as, in so far as; in proportion as; according as; just as, even as.
c. 1225. St. Marherete (1866), 13. Þat eiðer of oðeres, as of his ahne, beo trusti.
1596. Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., III. iii. 165. As thou art but man I dare, but, as thou art a Prince, I feare thee.
1670. R. Coke, Disc. Trade, 32. Since the Rents of Land are valuable, as the Trade of the place is.
1710. Berkeley, Princ. Hum. Knowl., I. § 1. Which, as they are pleasing or disagreeable, excite the Passions of Love, Hatred, Joy, Grief, and so forth.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 165, ¶ 3. Our state may indeed be more or less imbittered, as our duration may be more or less contracted.
1837. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph., xxxviii. (1870), II. 374. It is blasphemy to say that God only is as we are able to think Him to be.
c. In the phrases according(-ly) as, in proportion as, and the like.
[See instances under ACCORDING, etc.]
d. In antithetical or parallel clauses, introducing a known circumstance with which a hypothesis is contrasted, or beside which a new circumstance is placed:… as on the other hand; even as; whereas; whilst.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. clxxvi. 213. If kyng Johan had ben in Fraunce, as he was in Englande [i.e., instead of being, as was the fact, in England], he durst not haue done as he dyd.
1602. Shaks., Ham., V. ii. 347. Had I but time, (as this fell sergeant, death, Is strick’d in his Arrest).
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time, II. 2. The King’s own religion was suspected, as his brother’s was declared.
1848. Thackeray, Bk. Snobs (1869), xvi. 71. It has its prejudices, to be sure, as which of us has not?
Mod. If I had been present, as I was not, I should have asked an explanation.
e. As also introduces an additional circumstance: Also in the same way, and likewise, and … as well.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 252. To carry her a rope to the landing-place, as also one to the … rocks on each side.
9. Introducing a supposition, expressed by the subjunctive mood: As if, as though. arch. (Cf. 1 b.)
1135. O. E. Chron. Uuard þe sunne suilc als it uuare thre niht ald mone.
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 146. To-svolle … Also ho hadde one frogge i-svolȝe.
a. 1300. Havelok, 508. Starinde als he were wod.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, II. xlv. 51. Somme hadden longe hoked clawes, lyke as they had ben lyons.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., I. i. 103. Vndoing all, as all had never bin.
1671. Milton, P. R., IV. 447. I heard the wrack As earth and sky would mingle.
1681. Dryden, Abs. & Achit., 848. It looks as Heav’n our Ruin had design’d.
1800. Coleridge, Wallenstein, I. v. He looks as he had seen a ghost.
b. If and though are now commonly expressed.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 7690. Als þof his wiþerwin he war.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., xi. (1539), 17. As and a lorde haue a manour.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Jan., 18. As if my yeare were wast, and woxen old.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 381, Wks. I. 14. As though by some divinity possess’d.
1867. Carlyle, Remin. (1881), II. 18. I was banished solitary as if to the bottom of a cave.
c. esp. in As it were: as if it were so, if one might so put it, in some sort: a parenthetic phrase used to indicate that a word or statement is perhaps not formally exact though practically right.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Nonne Pr. T., 26. She was as it were a maner deye.
1399. Langl., P. Pl., C. IX. 22. Ich wolde a-saye som tyme for solas, as hit were.
1531. Elyot, Gov. (1834), 211. It draweth a man as it were by violence.
1579. E. K., in Spenser’s Sheph. Cal., March, 11. Gloss., The messenger, and as it were, the forerunner of springe.
1692. E. Walker, Epictetus’ Mor. (1737), xxii. You’re as it were the Actor of a Play.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 32, ¶ 1. She has thought fit, as it were, to mock herself.
1881. R. Buchanan, God & the Man, I. 124. She took him at once, as it were, into her confidence.
10. With the subordinate clause abbreviated: In the same way as, as if, as it were.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 55. Eall-swá to þeófe ȝe synð cumene.
1382. Wyclif, ibid., 25. As to a theef ȝee han gon out.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 1. His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield.
1611. Bible, Heb. xii. 7. God dealeth with you as with sonnes.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, C ij b. The Horse … is as to seek.
1763. J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., § 6. 97. One of them (as wounded) fell down.
1817. Byron, Manfred, I. ii. 15. I … Behold the tall pines dwindled as to shrubs.
a. 1821. Keats, To England. To sit upon an Alp as on a throne.
1859. Tennyson, Enid, 210. His … hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him.
† b. With numbers = About, as it were, Gr. ὡς, ὡσεί, OE. swylce, Goth. swe. Obs.
1382. Wyclif, John vi. 19. Whanne þei hadden rowid as fyue and twenty furlongis or þritty.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xliv. 59. They were a great nombre as a xl. M. men.
11. With subordinate clause reduced to its subject or object: a. After the manner of, in the likeness of, the same as, like.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 109. Ure helende aros alse sunne.
c. 1220. Leg. St. Kath., 1361. Þe Keiser kaste his heaued as wod mon.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, I. 178. Alse sede in þe season sowe it on þe erthe.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 29. And often knockt his brest, as one that did repent.
1611. Bible, Gen. iii. 5. Yee shall bee as Gods, knowing good and euill.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 559. To the … ignorant populace the law of nations and the risk of bringing on their country the just vengeance of all Europe were as nothing.
1876. Green, Short Hist., x. § 4 (1881), 800. Spain rose as one man against the stranger.
b. In the character, capacity or rôle of.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. v. 4. Her sonne, who was as the next heire male.
1742. Middleton, Cicero, I. IV. 303. Assisted by Pompey as augur.
1810. Scott, Lady of L., III. vii. He as truth received What of his birth the crowd believed.
1837. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph., xxvi. (1870), II. 139. The fact is assumed as an hypothesis; the hypothesis explained as a fact.
1846. Ruskin, Mod. Paint. (1851), I. I. I. i. 6. The lesson which men receive as individuals, they do not learn as nations.
1875. Higginson, Hist. U.S., xvi. 151. This design was afterwards used as a flag.
c. Introducing a complemental nominative or objective after such verbs as seem, appear, pass, rank; view, regard, represent, treat, acknowledge, know, consider, accept, etc.: see these words.
1607. Shaks., Cor., V. vi. 145. Regarded As the most Noble Coarse.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 9, ¶ 1. He was saluted as a Brother.
c. 1740. Fielding, Ess. Convers., ad init. Man is generally represented as an animal formed for … society.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 76. Might have imputed to me as Arrogance, or Revenge.
1802. Scott, Minstr. Sc. Bord., I. 8. He whom all civilized nations now acknowledge as the Father of Poetry.
1837. Macaulay, Bacon, Ess. (1854), I. 346/1. In what we consider as his weakness.
1876. Green, Short Hist., x. § 4 (1881), 787. Who still looked on themselves as mere settlers … and who regarded the name of ‘Irishman’ as an insult.
12. As who: a. Like one who, as if one. arch.
1551–6. Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, 35. As who should sai it were a very daungerous matter.
a. 1586. Answ. Cartwright, 9. Walke before me, and be thou vpright, and I will make my couenant betweene me and thee. As who say, one condition … of the couenant is our vpright and good profession.
1606. Holland, Sueton., Annot. 14. His courteous cariage and affabilitie: as who was readie to accept of petitions and requests.
1848. Dickens, Dombey, 212. The Manager inclined his head, and showed his teeth, as who should say … Is that the case?
† b. As being he who. So, as which, etc. Obs.
1574. trans. Marlorats Apocalips, 9. So consequently before Christ, as who sitteth by God the father.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. cxcvi. 1219. Let vs call vppon him, as which is the chiefe sacrifice that hee requireth at our handes. Ibid., vi. 31. A verie notable point, as whereof wee may gather verie good and profitable doctrine.
13. Introducing a clause not dependent on the predicate of the principal sentence, but referring elliptically to some other word or part, or parenthetically to the statement itself contemplated in regard to its truth, authority, universality, etc. As a rule: to state the general rule disregarding exceptions; generally, in the great majority of cases. As usual: as is or was usually the case.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 17. Al swa ic er seide, ȝif eni mon touward criste isuneȝede [etc.].
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 166. Nu, as ich sigge, þis deorewurðe healewi iðisse bruchele uetles [etc.].
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 27. He doþ ai þo þingis þat plesun God, os Himself seiþ.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, I. xxiv. 29. His skryp and burdon, whiche, as he seyth, he ne left neuer.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 5, ¶ 3. This project, as I have since heard, is postponed ’till the Summer Season.
1717. Steele, ibid., No. 104, ¶ 3. The Model … was, as I take it, first imported from France.
1754. Hume, Hist. Eng. (1812), I. viii. 409. This war was, as usual, no less feeble in its operations, than … frivolous in its cause and object.
1882. Jessopp, in 19th Cent., Nov., 735. The masses in towns are, as a rule, destitute of faith in the unseen.
14. Introducing a clause used to attest a statement or to adjure any one by his faith, hopes or fears: In such a manner as befits the prayer, wish (obs.), anticipation, belief, profession that….
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqrs. T., 46. If it lay in my might, I wold amenden it … Als wisly help me grete God of kynde.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 1446. Sir Torent said, ‘as God me spede, We wille firste se that ffede.’ Ibid., 2504. Damyselle, also muste I the [= as may I prosper!], Sylver and asure beryth he.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., III. iii. 119. This sweares he, as he is a Prince, is iust, And as I am a Gentleman, I credit him.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 422, Wks. I. 15. Think well of this; As you are human, as you hope to live In peace.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 78. Admonished to speak with reverence of their oppressor … as they would answer it at their peril.
† 15. In exclamatory sentences or clauses: The manner in which…, in what manner, how. Obs. exc. in dialects; replaced by how.
a. 1230. Ancr. R., 62. Louerd Crist, ase men wolden steken veste euerich þurl.
1566. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. 1846, I. 103. Which, as it was keapt, the ishew will witnesse.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xxvi. ‘But see as our gudemither’s hands and lips are ganging.’
III. Of time and place.
16. At or during the time that; when, while; at any time that, whenever. Introducing a contemporaneous event or action. (As when rarely takes the place of simple as.)
c. 1220. Ureisun, in Lamb. Hom., 189. He strahte forþ his riht earm ase [he] stode o rode.
1297. R. Glouc., 283. As þys kyng Edgar an honteþ ywend was, Alone he com fram ys men.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wycket, 8. The material bread that he had in hys handes as when he sayde (Hoc est corpus meum).
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, F iiij. But as his wrath is gone she may wel shewe to hym yt [etc.].
1596. Spenser, F. Q., I. i. 29. And all the way he prayed as he went.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 529. They wander, grazing as they go.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 88. One Day, as she and I sat together.
Mod. The thought occurred to me as I was watching the procession.
17. At the place that, in which, where. Obs. exc. as in last quotation, where it passes into prec. sense.
1297. R. Glouc., 555. Bituene Seint Oswalde’s ȝat, and e Norþ ȝat iwis, Is a long wal inou, as þe abbode’s orchard is.
c. 1305. St. Andrew, 16, in E. E. P. (1862), 98. Wende to patras To þe cite … as seint andreu was.
c. 1420. Chron. Vilod., 390. Þen went þey þederward as þis tresere lay.
[1711. Steele, Spect., No. 2, ¶ 2. He has his Periwig powdered at the Barber’s as you go into the Rose. Cf. It is right in front of you as you cross London Bridge.]
IV. Of reason.
18. In conformity with, or in consideration of, the fact that; it being the case that; inasmuch as; since.
a. 1400. Cov. Myst., 281. Lete me fro this deth fle, As I dede nevyr no trespace.
1664. Butler, Hud., II. ii. 202. As no Peer is bound to swear … it follows … t’affirm it is no perj’ry.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., i. My eldest son … was bred at Oxford, as I intended him for one of the learned professions.
Mod. As you are not ready, we must go without you. He may have one, as he is a friend.
b. Also with participial clause.
1631. Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 794. He was enforced to returne, as destitute of those further succours.
1677. Moxon, Mech. Exerc. (1703), 203. The whole Work will be spoiled, as being smaller than the proposed Diameter.
1699. Bentley, Phal., Introd. 24. [He] is not handsom: as having a flat Nose.
V. Of result, actual or intended.
* With antecedent, so, such, that in the principal sentence.
† 19. With finite verb. Obs. and replaced by that. a. So … as: in such manner, to such a degree … that.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 93. The Commons … be so poer, as they may not gyve any thyng of their own Goods.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. II. 141. This so amazed our men … as they forsooke their Commanders, and left them.
1622. Sparrow, Rationale (1661), 245. A thing so plain as it needs no proof.
1742. Middleton, Cicero, II. VII. 207. I despised you … so as nothing could be prouder.
1777. Robertson, Hist. Amer., I. 203. His largest vessel was so clumsy and unfit for service, as constrained him to bear away for Hispaniola.
† b. Such … as: of that kind … that. Obs.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 23. The raynes of his horse faylled … in suche wise as he tumbled, the hede under.
c. 1555. Harpsfield, Divorce Hen. VIII. (1878), 178. Such … calamity … as since Christ his birth it never suffered the like.
1628. Feltham, Resolves, I. x. Wks. 1677, 14. He that longs for Heaven with such impatience, as he will kill himself.
1671. Milton, Samson, 350. I gained a son, And such a son as all men hailed me happy.
c. The transition from the earlier as to that, was effected by the intermediate as that. arch.
1599. Greene, Alphonsus (1861), 245. Hath god Mars such force … As that he can.
a. 1687. Petty, Pol. Arith., Pref. (1691), A iij. The Price of Food so reasonable, as that Men refuse to have it cheaper.
1795. trans. Mercier’s Fragm. Pol. & Hist., I. 31. The power … placed in the hands of a chief, in such a way as that the principle of unity in the government will be appreciated.
a. 1866. J. Grote, Exam. Util. Philos., 362. In such a manner as that the thought of Him is [etc.].
20. With infinitive of result or purpose. (Still in use.) Formerly that also occurred as antecedent instead of such: cf. 24.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Faustus, xiii. 13. Do us that favour, as to let us see that peerless dame.
1662. H. More, Antid. Ath., I. xi. (1712), 35. To bear themselves so as … to cause an Arbitrarious Ablegation of the Spirits.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 1, ¶ 2. I am not so vain as to think.
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., xxxvi. (1878), 345. Announced in a voice so loud, as to make all … aware of the important communication.
Mod. He so acquitted himself as to please everybody. Be so good as to come.
** With antecedent so wanting, or conjoined with as in the subordinate clause.
† 21. With finite verb: With the result or purpose that. Obs. and replaced by so that.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 586. Adam was made of manes elde, Als he might him seluen welde.
1574. trans. Littleton’s Tenures, 21 b. So as hee that holdeth by escuage, holdeth by homage.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Faustus, x. 31. The bright shining of whose glorious acts Lightens the world with his reflecting beams, As … It grieves my soul I never saw the man.
1628. Hobbes, Thucydides (1822), 120. He miscarried by unskilfulness so as the loss can no way be ascribed to cowardice.
1797. Downing, Disord. Horned Cattle, 118. The joints will bend so as the clees or horny part … can be inclosed in the hand.
† b. The transition from so as to so that gave the intervening so as that. arch.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), III. 795. [They] had never been sufficiently examined, so as that an accurate judgement might be formed of their coasts.
22. With infinitive of result or purpose.
Mod. Put on your gloves, so as to be ready.
VI. Introducing an attributive clause; after the antecedents such, same, or their equivalents.
23. The adjective such (OE. swylc, swęlc, Goth. swâ-leik) contains the adv. swá, so, and may be analyzed as ‘so-constituted’: like so, therefore, it is followed by as: see above, 19 b. b. Same was in OE. an adv. followed by swá. Hence, after such and same, as comes, through ellipsis, to act as a relative pronoun = That, who, which.
But same as usually expresses identity of kind, same that absolute identity, except in contracted sentences where same as is alone found: cf. ‘he uses the same books as you do,’ ‘he uses the same books that you do,’ ‘he uses the same books as you,’ ‘you and he use the same books.’
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 83. Ho nimeð al swuch hou [i.e., hue] alse ho þer on uint.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 4108. Alswilc als hem bihu[f]lik bee.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 835. Þan sal he on þe same wys hethen wende … right als he cam.
1548. Compl. Scot., 38. That samyn sound as thay beystis hed blauen.
1549. Coverdale, Erasm. Par. Rom. ix. Suche as growe out of kynde.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 2. Such a one as was the glory of the land of Israel.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 118, ¶ 3. Such a Passion as I have had is never well cured.
1718. Hickes & Nelson, Life Kettlewell, App. 57. This is about the same Number as was now.
1789. G. White, Selborne, xvii. (1853), 72. Such a severe stroke … as put out one eye.
1832. Carlyle, Remin. (1881), I. 8. Never shall we again hear such speech as that was.
1879. Lubbock, Sci. Lect., ii. 31. Bees like the same odours as we do.
† 24. The antecedent such is also replaced by that, those, or entirely omitted, leaving as an ordinary relative pronoun = That, who, which. Cf. Norse use of som. Obs. in standard English, but common dial. in England and the United States.
c. 1305. St. Edmund, 225, in E. E. P. (1862), 77. Drauȝtes as me draweþ in poudre.
1366. Maundev., v. 36. The firste Soudan was Zarocon … as was fadre to Sahaladyn.
1475. Bk. Noblesse, 32. Tho as were present.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. Pref. The ymages as they used in olde tyme to erecte in worshyp.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., II. i. 36. That kind of Fruite As Maides call Medlers.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 222. To those as have no children.
1645. Fuller, Good Th. in Bad T. (1841), 32. It is false that the marigold follows the sun, whereas the sun follows the marigold, as made the day before him.
1747. Gould, Eng. Ants, 70. That prodigious Size as we see in many Places.
c. 1852. Lamplighter (1854), 91. It’s he as lives in the great stone house.
† b. Extended to as that. Obs. Cf. as which, 12 b.
1663. Marvell, Corr., Wks. 1872–5, II. 140. If they had any thing as that remained on their part.
¶ As (after such or that), frequently represents not merely the simple relative, but the relative with its governing preposition; and then approaches the adverbial use in 6.
1693. Mem. Count Teckely, I. 16. A City of that importance as [= of which] Cassovia was.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 11, ¶ 5. She should be clothed in such Silks as his Wastecoat was made of.
25. In parenthetic clauses, affirming, explaining, or commenting on a word in the principal sentence. In parenthetic affirmations, e.g., ‘fool as I am,’ that is more common than as.
c. 1550. Jacke Jugeler (1820), 24. Like a fole as I am and a drunken knave.
1577. St. Aug. Manuell, 93. O hard and cursed case as it was.
1605. Shaks., Lear, III. vii. 33. Vnmercifull Lady, as you are, I’me none. Ibid. (1607), Temp., I. ii. 346. I haue vs’d thee (Filth as thou art) with humane care.
1714. Addison, Spect., No. 568, ¶ 1. He designs his chasm, as you call it, for an Hole to creep out at.
1835. Lytton, Rienzi, xii. Crouch! wild beast as thou art!
b. As frequently refers to the whole statement contemplated as a fact: = A thing or fact which.
1552. T. Barnabe, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. II. 202. Yff so be yt that we shoulde warre with them (as God defende).
1802. M. Edgeworth, Moral Tales, I. xiii. 103 (1816). He was an Englishman, as they perceived by his accent.
26. Introducing instances in exemplification or illustration of a general designation: Like and including, such as, of the kind of; for instance, for example.
Apparently an elliptical use of 23, 24; thus, ‘a beast of prey, as the lion or tiger’ = ‘a beast of prey, such as the lion or tiger is,’ where as is a relative pronoun, though in the elliptical sentence, it sinks into a conjunction.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 700. Many yuels, angers, and mescheefes Oft comes til man … Als feuyr, dropsy, and Iaunys.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Prelates, iii. Wks. 1880, 60. A prelat, as an abott or a priour.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., 42. Beestes that shal plowe, As hors and ox.
c. 1530. Rhodes, Bk. Nurture, in Babees Bk., 68. And if your Mayster will haue any conceites after dinner, as appels, Nuts, or creame.
1705. Addison, Italy, 1–2. I pluck’d above Five different Sorts that grew within a Yard of each other, as Wild-Time, Lavender, Rosemary, Balme and Mirtle.
27. From its relative or conjunctive force, as was added (rarely prefixed) to the demonstrative adverbs there, then, thither, thence, after, to make them conjunctive; it was used for some time with the interrogatives where, when, whither, whence, after they were substituted for the demonstratives. When as is found in modern poets as an archaism; the others are Obs. Cf. when that, after that; and see WHEREAS, in which the local sense is now lost.
1297. R. Glouc., 369. Þere as þe batayle was, an abbey he let rere.
1366. Maundev., x. 118. The colveres retournen aȝen where as thei ben norissht.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Merch. T., 138. Wel may the sike man wayle and wepe, Ther as ther is no wyf the hous to kepe.
1470–85. (1634), Malory, Arthur (1816), I. 80. Anon, after as Balin was dead, Merlin took his sword.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, F ij. Thou … shalt not go … there as it pleseth me not.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. lvii. 78. Can ye lede vs ther as they be? Ibid., ccxciv. 437. Retourned into Fraunce, thyder as they thought to haue some aduantage. Ibid. (c. 1532), Huon, 438. Let the shyppe go whether as it wyll tyll it come to the porte where as thou shalte aryue.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 4. Where as is no lawe, can no good order be.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Jew Malta, V. ii. What boots it thee … to be the Governor, When as thy life shall be at their Command?
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 269/2. The year following … when as Philo … accused Sophocles for having done contrary to Law.
1808. Scott, Marm., I. xxviii. When as the Palmer came in hall, Nor lord nor knight was there more tall.
VI. Introducing dependent sentences or clauses.
28. Introducing a noun sentence, after say, know, think, etc. Sometimes expanded into as that. Obs. and replaced by that; but still common in southern dialect speech, where often expanded to as how. (Connected with IV: cf. that in ‘the man that is coming,’ ‘he says that he is coming.’)
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, F iiij b. I saye not as ye shalle be pryuely and alone one by other.
1578. Timme, Calvin on Gen., 331. It seemeth to be a very absurd reason that he giveth, as that the children of Abram could not be saved.
1689. Tryal Bps., 55. Do you know My Lord Bishop of St. Asaph’s handwriting? Not as I know of.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 508, ¶ 6. That the Fop … should say, as he would rather have such-a-one without a Groat, than me with the Indies.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), IV. 259. Pray let her know as that I will present her … my Lancashire Seat.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl., I. 274. I believe as how your man deals with the devil.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple, xiii. (Hoppe). Seeing as how the captain had been hauling him over the coals.
1856. Mrs. Stowe, Dred, xi. 100. I don’t know as you’ll like the appearance of our place.
† 29. Formerly used to introduce an imperative sentence. Obs.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Tr. & Cr., V. 522. ‘For love of God,’ full pitously he seide, ‘as go we seene the paleis of Creseide.’ Ibid. (c. 1386), Miller’s T., 590. That hoote kultour in the chymenee here, As lene it me: I haue ther-with to doone.
† 30. Introducing contracted interrogative sentences: As how? (arch.) As why? (illiterate.)
1579. Tomson, Calvin’s Serm. Tim., 16/1. We shall see sometime how heretikes come to turne the groundes of our faith wholy vpside downe. As how? If any denie that Iesus Christ is God euerlasting, [etc.].
1636. Healey, Epictetus’ Man., xxxi. 39. But I have yet no meanes to benefit my countrey! As how man? you cannot builde it a schoole, an Exchange, or a Bathe: what’s all that to the purpose?
1742. Fielding, J. Andrews, III. xii. (Mätz.). If he could be ruined alone, she should be very willing for it; for because, as why,… he deserved it.
1801. Southey, Thalaba, IV. xv. Wks. IV. 145. He might awe the Elements, and make Myriads of Spirits serve him!… But as how? By a league with Hell, a covenant that binds The soul to utter death!
31. Formerly prefixed to an infinitive clause, made the occasion of introducing a statement, where a participle (or gerund) is now used: e.g., ‘Speaking of volcanos, I have seen Etna in full eruption.’
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 974. But as to speke of love … I hadde a lord to whom I wedded was.
VII. Prefixed to prepositions and adverbs.
32. The original sense is perhaps seen in such expressions as, as regards, as respects, as concerns, i.e., ‘so far as it concerns,’ ‘in the degree, manner, or case in which it concerns.’ Cf. L. quod attinet ad.
1840. Macaulay, Ranke, Ess. (1854), II. 543/1. As respects natural religion … it is not easy to see [etc.].
1867. Gd. Words, March, 160. As regards the virtues that make it possible to live the life of a civilised social being.
1872. F. Hall, False Philol., 50. Nor is he more fortunate as relates to pronunciation.
33. With prepositions, as has the general sense of as far as, so far as, and thus restricts or specially defines the reference of the preposition; e.g., as against, as between. As anent, as concerning, as for, as to, as touching (Fr. quant à), have all the sense of ‘as it regards, so far as it concerns, with respect or reference to.’ In as in, as by, as after, and other obsolete combinations, as was almost pleonastic. See these prepositions severally.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6880. I shal ȝou shewe wiþouten les As anentis þis moyses.
c. 1375. Wyclif, Antecrist, 117. He shal be lyoun as to violence; as a lyoun in his chouche as to trecherie.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Melibeus, ¶ 189. And as touching thy frendes, thou schalt considere which of hem beth most faithful.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., IV. vi. 455. Her blamyng … muste needis be had as for vniust and vntrewe.
1535. Coverdale, 2 Macc. xi. 20. As concernynge other thinges … I haue committed them to youre messaungers.
1611. Bible, 1 Cor. viii. 1. As touching things offered unto idols, we know.
1748. Hartley, Observ. Man, I. i. § 1 ¶ 5. As to myself, I am not satisfied.
1857. Helps, Friends in C., Ser. I. I. 18. My only doubt was as to the mode.
1856. T. Hook, Gilb. Gurney, i. [He] was questioned as to what efforts he had made to rescue his companion.
1876. Gladstone, in Contemp. Rev., June, 6. The rights of laymen as against priests … depend … upon his judgment.
Mod. As for you, Sir, your father shall hear of this.
† b. After as for, a pronoun was formerly omitted.
1525. Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. ccxlvi. [ccxlii.] 756. As for these townes wyll neuer tourne frenche, for they can nat lyue in their daunger.
a. 1553. Udall, Roister D., iv. iii. (Arb.), 62. let him keepe him there still … As for his labour hither he shall spende in wast.
1586. Cogan, Haven Health (1636), 206. As for herbs and fruits, especially raw, at all times are to be refused.
34. With adverbs and advb. phrases. a. Of time: as then, as now, as to-day, as three years ago, where as has a restrictive force. Still common dialectally: but literary English retains only as yet = up to this time, hitherto.
1297. R. Glouc., 346. Þo hys lyf was ney ydo, As in þe ʓer of hys kynedom tuenty & tuo.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 249. I ne haue as now no leyser moore to seye.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 153. Als this time sex yer, I rade allane.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, F iiij b. As yet they kepe and hold that custome.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cccxiii. 480. I vnderstode so as then.
1551. Ascham, Lett., Wks. 1865, I. II. 288. The prince of Spain, which as to-morrow should have gone into Italy.
1583. Golding, Calvin on Deut. ii. 9. An immortalitie which is hidde from vs as now.
1618. Bolton, Florus (1636), 163. A province untoucht in a manner, and new to us as till then.
1651. Reliq. Wotton., 77. Who was then as yet in possession of the king’s heart.
1653. Holcroft, Procopius, I. 15. He could not get John punished as then.
1760. Mrs. Delany, Autobiog. (1861), III. 608. To carry us off to Longleat as last Thursday.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 497. Things as yet looked not unfavourably for James.
b. Of place: as here, as there, as in that place.
c. 1220. Leg. St. Kath., 3. Constantin & Maxence weren on a time, as in Keiseres stude, hehest in Rome.
c. 1435. Torr. of Portugal, 2086. Ffor Jhesu love thy sonne hym make, As in the stede of me.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., I. vii. 35. Thei diden not ellis as there for the vertues but this. Ibid., I. iv. 21. [He] groundith not as in that tho gouernauncis.
c. 1532. Ld. Berners, Huon, clvi. 60. Let hym go and marry her, for as here he hath no thynge to do.
C. Phrases. (See A. III.)
1. As much (besides its ordinary use with and without as) has the sense of: The same; what practically amounts to that, all that, so.
1386. Chaucer, Frankl. T., 290. This is as much to sayn as it was night.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, viii. 98. Is it not asmuch to say, as that the example of the Arke had imboldened them to venture vpon the Sea?
1615. Bedwell, trans. Moham. Imp., II. § 65. I have heard as much, and all thou hast said is true.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, xxi. 341. The old woman apparently anticipated as much.
Mod. I thought as much.
2. As well (beside its obvious analytical import) has the senses: a. (with following as) Just as much … as; equally … with; no less … than; in the same way … as; both … and; like; in addition to, besides. b. (ellipt.) Just as much, equally, no less; also, too. c. (absol.) As well as not, as well as anything else; hence put deferentially for ‘better,’ in which sense as good is also less correctly used. As good as has also (d.) the sense of: As much (or as little as), what amounts in worth or practical effect to, practically.
a, b. 1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, E j. [Ye] haue as wel for to pay as she hath.
1484. Churchw. Acc. Wigtoft (Nichols, 1797), 77. Of dyvers persones, alsowell of men as of women of the said towne.
1513–75. Diurn. Occurr. (1833), 81. Charging all our soueranes liegis, alsweill to burgh as to land.
1596. Spenser, State Irel., 50. They spoile aswell the subject as the enemy.
1718. Free-thinker, No. 12. 80. They will conclude him to be a Weak Man, as well as a Bad Subject.
1853. Trench, Proverbs, 123. We have a right to assume this to be a voice of God as well.
c. 1523. Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. 754. We were as good to go towardes Flaunders as to Bologne.
1593. Bilson, Govt. Christ’s Ch., 311. Your Elders were as good spare their paines.
1768. Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), II. 46. As I am at Versailles … I might as well take a view of the town.
1773. Goldsm., Stoops to Conq., II. i. You had as good not make me, I tell you.
1820. Byron, Mar. Fal., IV. ii. 5. It had been As well had there been time.
d. 1526. Tindale, Heb. xi. 12. Of one which was as good as deed.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev. (1872), II. VI. vi. 244. Some men have heart, and some have as good as none.
