First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1as
adverb \əz, (ˌ)az\
: to the same degree or amount
—used to introduce an example
Full Definition of AS
1
: to the same degree or amount <as soft as silk> <twice as long>
2
: for instance <various trees, as oak or pine>
3
: when considered in a specified form or relation —usually used before a preposition or a participle <my opinion as distinguished from his>
See as defined for English-language learners
See as defined for kids
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Origin of AS
Middle English, from Old English eallswā likewise, just as — more at also
2as
conjunction
—used in the phrase as…as to say when something should be done, how often something should happen, etc.
: in the way that
—used to introduce a statement which indicates that something being mentioned was known, expected, etc.
Full Definition of AS
1
: as if <looks as he had seen a ghost — S. T. Coleridge>
2
: in or to the same degree in which <soft as silk> —usually used as a correlative after an adjective or adverb modified by adverbial as or so <as cool as a cucumber>
3
: in the way or manner that <do as I do>
4
: in accordance with what or the way in which <quite good as boys go>
6
: regardless of the degree to which : though <improbable as it seems, it's true>
8
: that the result is <so clearly guilty as to leave no doubt>
— as is
: in the presently existing condition without modification <bought the clock at an auction as is>
— as it were
: as if it were so : in a manner of speaking
See as defined for English-language learners
Usage Discussion of AS
Like has been used as a conjunction since the 14th century. In the 14th, 15th, and 16th centuries it was used in serious literature, but not often; in the 17th and 18th centuries it grew more frequent but less literary. It became markedly more frequent in literary use again in the 19th century. By mid-century it was coming under critical fire, but not from grammarians, oddly enough, who were wrangling over whether it could be called a preposition or not. There is no doubt that, after 600 years of use, conjunctive like is firmly established. It has been used by many prestigious literary figures of the past, though perhaps not in their most elevated works; in modern use it may be found in literature, journalism, and scholarly writing. While the present objection to it is perhaps more heated than rational, someone writing in a formal prose style may well prefer to use as, as if, such as, or an entirely different construction instead.
First Known Use of AS
12th century
Related to AS
- Synonyms
- when, so long as, while, whilst [chiefly British]
3as
pronoun
Definition of AS
1
2
: a fact that <is a foreigner, as is evident from his accent>
First Known Use of AS
12th century
4as
preposition
—used to indicate how a person or thing appears, is thought of, etc.
—used to indicate the condition, role, job, etc., of someone or something
Full Definition of AS
2
: in the capacity, character, condition, or role of <works as an editor>
See as defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of AS
13th century
5as
noun \ˈas\
plural as·ses \ˈa-ˌsēz, ˈa-səz\
Definition of AS
1
a : a bronze coin of the ancient Roman republic b : a unit of value equivalent to an as coin
2
: libra 2a
Origin of AS
Latin
First Known Use: 1540
1As
abbreviation
Definition of AS
altostratus
2As
symbol
Definition of AS
arsenic
AS
abbreviation
Definition of AS
1
after sight
2
airspeed
3
American Samoa
4
Anglo-Saxon
5
antisubmarine
6
associate in science
AS[1] Defined for Kids
1as
adverb \əz, az\
Definition of AS for Kids
1
: to the same degree or amount <as good as gold>
2
: for example <various trees, as oaks and maples>
2as
conjunction
Definition of AS for Kids
1
: in equal amount or degree with <cold as ice>
2
: in the way that <Do as I say.> <You can come and go as you please.>
3
: at the same time that <They sang as they marched.>
4
: for the reason that : because <I stayed home, as I had no car.>
3as
pronoun
Definition of AS for Kids
1
2
: a fact that <You are happy, as we all know.> <As I said before, you must leave.>
4as
preposition
Definition of AS for Kids
1
: 4like 1 <I went dressed as a princess.>
2
: in the position or role of <He works as a firefighter.>
Medical Dictionary
as
abbreviation
Medical Definition of AS
astigmatism
Learn More About AS
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Seen & Heard
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