Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂elnós
Proto-Germanic *allaz
Proto-West Germanic *all
Proto-Indo-European *swéder.?
Proto-Germanic *swa
Proto-West Germanic *swā
Proto-West Germanic *allswā
Old English eallswā
Middle English also
Middle English as
English as
From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.
Meanings
Introducing a basis of comparison, with an object in the objective case.
They are big as houses.
You are not as tall as my sister.
She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
A great bargain also had been the excellent Axminster carpet which covered the floor; as, again, the arm-chair in which Bunting now sat forward, staring into the dull, small fire. 1913, Mrs. [Marie] Belloc Lowndes, chapter I, in The Lodger, London: Methuen, →OCLC; republished in Novels of Mystery: The Lodger; The Story of Ivy; What Really Happened, New York, N.Y.: Longmans, Green and Co., […], [1933], →OCLC, page 0016:
In the role of.
Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.[…]A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale. 2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist:
He was never seen as the boss, but rather as a friend.
Directed by Howard Hawks, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starred Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei and Jane Russell as Dorothy. 2000, Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast, St. James encyclopedia of popular culture, volume 2, page 223:
pt quanto (Introducing a basis of comparison) · nl as (Introducing a basis of comparison) · el ως (In the role of) · de so ... wie (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ro în calitate de (In the role of) · fr que (Introducing a basis of comparison) · pt como (In the role of) · tr kadar (Introducing a basis of comparison) · hu -ként (In the role of) · km ដូច (Introducing a basis of comparison) · el όσο (Introducing a basis of comparison) · kmr hindî (Introducing a basis of comparison) · kmr bi qasî (Introducing a basis of comparison) · fi kuin (Introducing a basis of comparison) · el σαν (In the role of) · he כ־ (Introducing a basis of comparison) · kmr qasî (Introducing a basis of comparison) · uk у ро́лі (In the role of) · pl jako (In the role of) · cmn 為 /为 (In the role of) · tr olarak (In the role of) · ro ca și (Introducing a basis of comparison) · it da (In the role of) · fa به عنوان (In the role of) · cy yn (In the role of) · sk ako (In the role of) · ja ほど (Introducing a basis of comparison) · uk як (Introducing a basis of comparison) · io kom (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ru в (In the role of) · ja として (In the role of) · id seperti (Introducing a basis of comparison) · eo kiel (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ru как (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ca com (Introducing a basis of comparison) · la qua (In the role of) · ia quanto (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ro ca (Introducing a basis of comparison) · la quam (Introducing a basis of comparison) · nl in de rol van (In the role of) · es como (In the role of) · he כמו (Introducing a basis of comparison) · nl als (Introducing a basis of comparison) · yi ווי (In the role of) · id sebagai (Introducing a basis of comparison) · be як (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ru как (In the role of) · pt enquanto (In the role of) · ms selaku (In the role of) · ja と同じくらい (Introducing a basis of comparison) · io kom (In the role of) · it come (Introducing a basis of comparison) · sl kot (Introducing a basis of comparison) · it quanto (Introducing a basis of comparison) · nl als (In the role of) · sv som (In the role of) · nl in de rol van (In the role of) · sv som (Introducing a basis of comparison) · egy mi-i (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ru в ка́честве (In the role of) · ang swā (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ja くらい (Introducing a basis of comparison) · mk колку (Introducing a basis of comparison) · hu mint (Introducing a basis of comparison) · nl as (In the role of) · pl jak (Introducing a basis of comparison) · kmr temetî (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ang tō (In the role of) · ms sebagai (In the role of) · ar كَـ (Introducing a basis of comparison) · fr en tant que (In the role of) · es como (Introducing a basis of comparison) · da som (Introducing a basis of comparison) · it come (In the role of) · cy fel (In the role of) · ar مِثْل (Introducing a basis of comparison) · ia como (Introducing a basis of comparison) · de als (In the role of) · sk ako (Introducing a basis of comparison) · es cual (Introducing a basis of comparison)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂elnós
Proto-Germanic *allaz
Proto-West Germanic *all
Proto-Indo-European *swéder.?
Proto-Germanic *swa
Proto-West Germanic *swā
Proto-West Germanic *allswā
Old English eallswā
Middle English also
Middle English as
English as
From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.
Meanings
(not-comparable) To such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.
You’re not as tall as I am, but you are definitely as happy as can be.
She regards her kids as (being) holy as saints.
She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive. 1921, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest, Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, Page & Company, published 1925, →OCLC:
“My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly.
Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan.
“Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.” 1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter IV, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
It's not as well made, but it's twice as expensive.
In 1939, as in 1914, all of Europe seemed to want war.
(not-comparable) Considered to be, in relation to something else; in the relation (specified).
(dated, formal, not-comparable) For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)
Likewise many other indulgences were by virtue hereof granted; as, to have a portatile altar, to receive the Sacrament privately; […] 1820, John Strype, The Life of the Learned Sir Thomas Smith, page 48:
The floor of the chamber was tesselated, of marble and green tourmaline, and on every square of tourmaline was carven the image of a fish: as the dolphin, the conger, the cat-fish, the salmon, the tunny, the squid, and other wonders of the deep. 1922, E[ric] R[ücker] Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros: A Romance, London: Jonathan Cape […], →OCLC, page 3:
First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America. 1913, “Aboriginal”, in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary:
mk толку (to such an extent or degree) · ary كِـ (to such an extent or degree) · tr kadar (to such an extent or degree) · mt kif (to such an extent or degree) · ca tan ... com (to such an extent or degree) · ru насто́лько (to such an extent or degree) · fi yhtä (to such an extent or degree) · mk така (to such an extent or degree) · ar كَـ (to such an extent or degree) · fr aussi (to such an extent or degree) · pl tak (to such an extent or degree) · ka როგორც (to such an extent or degree) · ja のほどに (to such an extent or degree) · nl zo ... als (to such an extent or degree) · gl tan (to such an extent or degree) · be насто́лькі (to such an extent or degree) · tpi olsem (to such an extent or degree) · cs tak (to such an extent or degree) · km ដូច (to such an extent or degree) · de so ... wie (to such an extent or degree) · da så (to such an extent or degree) · ml അത്ര (to such an extent or degree) · it tanto (to such an extent or degree) · mk како (to such an extent or degree) · eo tiel (to such an extent or degree) · wa si (to such an extent or degree) · ms se- (to such an extent or degree) · ro la fel de (to such an extent or degree) · es por muy (…que) (to such an extent or degree) · ary بحال (to such an extent or degree) · hu annyira (to such an extent or degree) · da lige så (to such an extent or degree) · es tan/cuan (...como) (to such an extent or degree) · kw avel (to such an extent or degree) · ia tanto (to such an extent or degree) · ko 만큼 (to such an extent or degree) · be як (to such an extent or degree) · be так (to such an extent or degree) · sq aq (to such an extent or degree) · ru столь (to such an extent or degree) · uk насті́льки (to such an extent or degree) · arz زي (to such an extent or degree) · cy cyn (to such an extent or degree) · hu olyan (to such an extent or degree) · cy mor (to such an extent or degree) · sk tak (to such an extent or degree) · pt tanto (to such an extent or degree) · ja のほど (to such an extent or degree) · he כל כך (to such an extent or degree) · fa به (to such an extent or degree) · ar مِثْل (to such an extent or degree) · el τόσο ... όσο (to such an extent or degree) · ru так (to such an extent or degree) · kmr hindî (to such an extent or degree) · cmn 這麼 /这么 (to such an extent or degree) · cmn 如此 (to such an extent or degree) · gd cho (to such an extent or degree) · uk так (to such an extent or degree) · sv lika ... som (to such an extent or degree) · wa ossu (to such an extent or degree) · pt tão (to such an extent or degree) · ru как (to such an extent or degree) · pl jak (to such an extent or degree) · kmr bi qasî (to such an extent or degree) · ang swā (to such an extent or degree) · la tam (to such an extent or degree) · kmr temetî (to such an extent or degree) · no like (to such an extent or degree) · ga chomh (to such an extent or degree) · uk як (to such an extent or degree)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂elnós
Proto-Germanic *allaz
Proto-West Germanic *all
Proto-Indo-European *swéder.?
Proto-Germanic *swa
Proto-West Germanic *swā
Proto-West Germanic *allswā
Old English eallswā
Middle English also
Middle English as
English as
From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.
Meanings
In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that.
Mom was slim, as were most of her relatives.
Do as I say!
As you wish, my lord!
I'm under a lot of pressure, as you know.
The kidnappers released him as (was) agreed.
"But he's good as dead, and I ain't about to waste a bullet." 2001, Jason Manning, Mountain Honor, Signet Book, →ISBN:
A nearby to-infinitive may be a factor for choosing 'in order to', as will emphasis.
In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that. ▸ Used after so or as to introduce a comparison.
It’s as easy to do it right as it is to do it wrong.
It's not so complicated as I expected.
She's twice as strong as I was two years ago.
In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that. ▸ Used to introduce a result: with the result that it is; as to.
[...] that the Board of Regents had fallen into disrepute; that intelligent men inquired what the board was; he said that it was a quiet body, and kept out of the newspapers — and so quiet as to lead many to suppose tho board had ceased to exist. 1868, Proceedings and Debates of the [New York] Constitutional Convention Held in 1867 and 1868 in the City of Albany, page 2853:
Under most circumstances, it will be possible to draw a distinction sufficiently clear as to allow an unambiguous allocation to one or other category. 2011, Herwig C. H. Hofmann, Gerard C. Rowe, Alexander H. Türk, Administrative Law and Policy of the European Union, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 507:
It was a talent he had developed; he could actually be so quiet as to be practically invisible. In class, he was rarely called upon to answer any questions. In the crowded hallways, he could slip in and out without offending any of the local bullies ... 2006, Eric Manasse, The Twenty-First Man, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 7:
In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that. ▸ Expressing concession: though.
1843 (first published), Thomas Babington Macaulay, Essays
We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.
Try as she might, she could not escape.
(As) bravely as they fought, they soon lost the battle.
(As) much as I respect your viewpoint, I can’t agree.
If this happens, be patient and, difficult as it may be, try not to take these reactions personally. 2009, Matthew Friedman, Laurie B. Slone, J Friedman, After the War Zone, →ISBN:
At the time that; during the time when: ▸ At the same instant or moment that: when.
As I came in, she fled.
At the time that; during the time when: ▸ At the same time that, during the same time when: while.
He sleeps as the rain falls.
At the time that; during the time when: ▸ Varying through time in the same proportion that.
As my fear grew, so did my legs become heavy.
As she grew older, she grew wiser.
Being that, considering that, because, since.
(As) tired as he was, I decided not to disturb him.
As it’s too late, I quit.
(dated) Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb elided): as though, as if.
Oft haue I ſeene the haughty Cardinall,
More like a Souldier then a man o' th' Church,
As ſtout and proud as he were Lord of all […] 1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
I feel securely fixed on the careering chair, and with the momentum gained I steer myself as on skis to the guard and come to a stop with a happy little flourish. 1990, Andrew Fetler, “The third count”, in Triquarterly, number Spring:
And sodenly there cam a sounde from heven as it had bene the commynge off a myghty wynde […] 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, Acts ij:
Newspapers and magazines would load their graphics, and you could doodle as on the Sony Reader Daily Edition. 2011 January 30, Kyle Wagner, “E-readers lighten a traveler's load But choosing the right unit means weighing features, cost, ease of use”, in Denver Post, page Travel 1:
And then he flue on hir as he were wood, / And on hir breeche did hack and foyne a-good. 1593, Thomas Nashe, The Choice of Valentines, lines 140-141:
They think they are romantic, tragic figures, exiled as on Elba. They picture themselves as enlightened barons bringing civilization, opportunity, and kindness to the brown-skinned. 1992/1993 Winter, Katherine Weissman, “The Divorce Gang”, in Ploughshares, volume 18, number 4, page 202:
I start as from some dreadful dream. 1681, John Dryden, The Spanish Fryar: Or, the Double Discovery. […], London: […] Richard Tonson and Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page number):
used before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning of the sentence; specifically.
The case is dismissed as between Jones and Smith.
The case is dismissed as against Smith.
Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun: that, which, who. (See usage notes.)
Now will he sit under a medlar tree,
And wish his mistress were that kind of fruit,
As maids call medlars, when they laugh alone. c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
You strike me as being a very fidgety type of person.
the temper is to be altered and amended, with such things as fortify and strengthen the heart and brain […] 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition II, section 5, member 1, subsection v:
“If I had, if I could hold me head up with the better folk, perhaps I'd think again, but I don't reckon as that's very likely now.” 2016, Alan Moore, Jerusalem, Liveright, published 2016, page 99:
I read this extract as being extremely pessimistic.
‘Sissy is not a name,’ said Mr. Gradgrind. ‘Don’t call yourself Sissy. Call yourself Cecilia.’
‘It’s father as calls me Sissy, sir,’ returned the young girl in a trembling voice, and with another curtsey. 1854, Charles Dickens, “Book I, Chapter II”, in Hard Times. For These Times, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], →OCLC:
He had the same problem as she did getting the lock open.
(England, obsolete, possibly, qualifier:Midland US and Southern US, rare) Than.
Darkness itself is no more opposite to light as their actions were diametricall to their words. 1660, James Howell, Parly of Beasts, page 48:
The king was not more forward to bestow favours on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors. 1655, Thomas Fuller, The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=I to XI):
de As (Roman coin) · fr as (Roman coin) · ja アス (Roman coin) · es as (Roman coin) · pt asse (Roman coin) · fi assi (Roman coin) · la as (Roman coin) · he אס (Roman coin) · fi as (Roman coin) · ru ас (Roman coin) · cy as (Roman coin) · ru асс (Roman coin) · ast as (Roman coin)
as en · NOUN · etymology 3
Etymology
From a + -s.
Meanings
(alt-of, alternative, rare) Alternative form of a's.
(Australia, New-Zealand, especially, slang) Used to intensify an adjective; very much; extremely.
It also appears in other positions in the sentence: his big as car could hardly fit.
It's pretty scratched, and dented as. 2021 May 17, “Language Matters: Sweet as is Kiwi as”, in Stuff: