ever
adverb
- at any point in time
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɛvə/ / /ˈɛvɚ/
adj
Etymology: 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”).
- Occurring at any time, occurring even but once during a timespan.
“This family empathy measure is highly related to ever use of birth control but not to any measure of continuous use.”
adv
Etymology: 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”).
- Always, frequently, forever.
“It was ever thus.”
“[…] the Lord Treasurer, who ever secretly feigned himself to be a Moderator and Mollifier of the Catholicks Afflictions […]”
- Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).
“People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.”
“For what seemed ages piled on ages, I lay there, frozen with the most awful fears, not daring to drag away my hand; yet ever thinking that if I could but stir it one single inch, the horrid spell would be broken.”
- At any time.
“We've only ever talked on the phone.”
“I scarcely ever see you anymore!.”
- As intensifier following an interrogative word.
“Was I ever glad to see you!”
“Did I ever!”
- Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before.
“but i ever ran 5mins using the 1400 cells and the type RR 23T motor...”
“i ever walked from the south to MacRitchie Reservoir.....”
det
Etymology: 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”).
- Shortening of every
“"Ever place you look there's houses and more houses."”
“Queen Anne's lace ever place you look.”