from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Every \Ev"er*y\, a. & a. pron. [OE. everich, everilk; AS.
[=ae]fre ever + [ae]lc each. See {Ever}, {each}.]
1. All the parts which compose a whole collection or
aggregate number, considered in their individuality, all
taken separately one by one, out of an indefinite number.
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Every man at his best state is altogether vanity.
--Ps. xxxix.
5.
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Every door and window was adorned with wreaths of
flowers. --Macaulay.
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2. Every one. Cf. {Each}. [Obs.] "Every of your wishes."
--Shak.
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Daily occasions given to every of us. --Hooker.
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{Every each}, every one. [Obs.] "Every each of them hath some
vices." --Burton..
{Every now and then}, at short intervals; occasionally;
repeatedly; frequently. [Colloq.]
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Note: Every may, by way of emphasis, precede the article the
with a superlative adjective; as, every, the least
variation. --Locke.
Syn: {Every}, {Each}, {Any}.
Usage: Any denotes one, or some, taken indifferently from the
individuals which compose a class. Every differs from
each in giving less prominence to the selection of the
individual. Each relates to two or more individuals of
a class. It refers definitely to every one of them,
denoting that they are considered separately, one by
one, all being included; as, each soldier was
receiving a dollar per day. Every relates to more than
two and brings into greater prominence the notion that
not one of all considered is excepted; as, every
soldier was on service, except the cavalry, that is,
all the soldiers, etc.
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In each division there were four pentecosties,
in every pentecosty four enomoties, and of each
enomoty there fought in the front rank four
[soldiers]. --Jowett
(Thucyd. ).
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If society is to be kept together and the
children of Adam to be saved from setting up
each for himself with every one else his foe.
--J. H.
Newman.
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