The Collaborative International Dictionary
as \as\ ([a^]z), adv. & conj. [OE. as, als, alse, also, al swa, AS. eal sw[=a], lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. als as, than, also so, then. See Also.]
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Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.
His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren.
--Macaulay.Note: As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. ``Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do.''
--Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest. -
In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.
The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king.
--Dewey. -
While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke.
As I return I will fetch off these justices.
--Shak. -
Because; since; it being the case that.
As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared.
--Sir W. Scott. -
Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning).
We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.
--Macaulay. -
That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.]
I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee.
--Rowe.So as, so that. [Obs.]
The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination.
--Bacon. -
As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]
He lies, as he his bliss did know.
--Waller. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
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Than. [Obs. & R.]
The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.
--Fuller. -
Expressing a wish. [Obs.] ``As have,''
Note: i. e., may he have.
--Chaucer.As . . as. See So . . as, under So.
As far as, to the extent or degree. ``As far as can be ascertained.''
--Macaulay.As far forth as, as far as. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.As for, or As to, in regard to; with respect to.
As good as, not less than; not falling short of.
As good as one's word, faithful to a promise.
As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if.
As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.
As now, just now. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.As swythe, as quickly as possible. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.As well, also; too; besides.
--Addison.As well as, equally with, no less than. ``I have understanding as well as you.''
--Job xii. 3.As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.
Wiktionary
adv. (non-gloss definition: used to indicate that a word or statement is perhaps not exact though practically right).
WordNet
adv. as if it were really so; "she lives here, as it were" [syn: so to speak]
Usage examples of "as it were".
Here we, interestingly enough, not only find writers of singular power who were completely unknown ten years ago, but also a number of names well-known in sf who are experimenting with new forms, minting the sf coinage of the next decade as it were.
And as they looked to behold, they cast their eyes toward heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were, in the midst of fire.
But, with your permission, we would like to keep you to the lastfor a sweet, as it were.
Because he was actually a normal young man playing the part of a schizophrenic - and he was always, as it were, a little larger than life.
Lord, this is the work of a perfect man, never to slacken his mind from attention to heavenly things, and among many cares to pass along as it were without care, not after the manner of one indifferent, but rather with the privilege of a free mind, cleaving to no creature with inordinate affection.
Then shall the winds gather themselves together, and bear thee up as it were a little heap of dust in a sheet that hath four corners, and they shall give it unto the guardians of the abyss.
For the little power which remaineth is as it were one spark lying hid in the ashes.
But this cannot be effected except in this way: that, as in the fall of man all human nature was corrupted, and, as it were, tainted with sin, and God will not choose one of such a race to fill up the number in his heavenly kingdom.
Wherefore, when we hold up to infidels these harmonious proportions which you speak of as so many pictures of the real thing, since they do not think this belief of ours a reality, but only a fiction, they consider us, as it were, to be painting upon a cloud.