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ever

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryev·er \ˈe-vər\ adverb ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Old English ǣfre DATE before 12th century1. always ever striving to improve the ever-increasing population2. a. at any time more than ever before b. in any way how can I ever thank you3. — used as an intensive looks ever so angry am I ever happy to see you • • •- ever and anonEnglish Etymologyever O.E. æfre, no cognates in any other Gmc. language; perhaps a contraction of a in feore, lit. "ever in life" (the expression a to foreis common in O.E. writings). First element is almost certainly related to O.E. a "always, ever," from P.Gmc. *aiwo, from PIE*aiw- "vital force, life, long life, eternity." Evermore is O.E. æfre ma; in ref. to trees and shrubs, evergreen is from 1644, figurative sense from 1796; Everglades is from 1827, U.S., perhaps from sense of "interminable."Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7☞ everever / 5evE(r) / adverb1. used in negative sentences and questions, or sentences with if to mean 'at any time' (用于否定句和疑问句,或与 if 连用的句子)在任何时候,从来: Nothing ever happens here. 这儿从未发生过任何事。 Don't you ever get tired? 难道你从来不累吗？ If you're ever in Miami, come and see us. 你要是什么时候到了迈阿密,就来看看我们吧。 'Have you ever thought of changing your job?' 'No, never / No I haven't.' "你想过掉换一下工作吗？" "没有,从未想过。" 'Have you ever been to Rome?' 'Yes, I have, actually. Not long ago.' "你去过罗马吗？" "是的,我确实去过。就在不久前。" She hardly ever (= almost never) goes out. 她几乎从不出门。 We see them very seldom, if ever. 我们难得见到他们。 (informal) I'll never ever do that again! 我再也不会干那种事了！ 2. used for emphasis when you are comparing things (进行比较时用以加强语气)以往任何时候,曾经: It was raining harder than ever. 当时下着前所未有的大雨。 It's my best ever score. 这是我得到过的最好分数。 3. (rather formal) all the time or every time; always 不断地；总是；始终: Paul, ever the optimist, agreed to try again. 保罗这个永远的乐观主义者答应再试一次。 She married the prince and they lived happily ever after. 她与王子成了婚,从此过着幸福的生活。 He said he would love her for ever (and ever). 他说会永远爱她。 Their debts grew ever larger (= kept increasing). 他们的债务不断增加。 the ever-growing problem 日趋严重的问题 an ever-present danger 始终存在的危险 4. used after when, why, etc. to show that you are surprised or shocked (用于 when、why 等之后表示惊讶)究竟,到底: Why ever did you agree? 你究竟为什么要同意？ IDIOMS ▪ all sb ever does is... used to emphasize that sb does the same thing very often, usually in an annoying way 某人只会/就知道做某事: All he ever does is grumble about things. 他只会抱怨。 ▪ did you 'ever (...)! (old-fashioned, informal) used to show that you are surprised or shocked (表示惊讶)你曾…过吗: Did you ever hear anything like it? 你听到过这种事吗？ ▪ ever since (...) continuously since the time mentioned 自从；自…以后；从…起: He's had a car ever since he was 18. 他从 18 岁起就有汽车了。 I was bitten by a dog once and I've been afraid of them ever since. 我曾被狗咬过,自那以后就一直害怕狗。 ▪ 'ever so / 'ever such a (informal, especially BrE) very; really 非常；很；确实；的确: He looks ever so smart. 他样子很帅。 She's ever such a nice woman. 她是个非常好的女人。 It's ever so easy. 这非常容易。 ▪ if 7ever there 'was (one) (informal) used to emphasize that sth is certainly true (用以加强语气)确实,无可置疑,真正地: That was a disaster if ever there was one! 那确实是场灾难！ ▪ was / is / does, etc. sb 'ever! (informal, especially NAmE) used to emphasize sth you are talking about 确实如此；千真万确；一点儿不差: 'You must have been upset by that.' 'Was I ever!' "你一定曾为那事而心烦了。" "可不是嘛！" ▪ yours 'ever / ever 'yours sometimes used at the end of an informal letter, before you write your name (有时用于非正式书信末尾署名前)你的永远的朋友Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedev·erI. \ˈevə(r)\ adverbEtymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣfre; probably akin to Old English ā always — more at aye1. a. : at all times : always, constantly, continuously < he is ever making the same mistake > < interference in their affairs became ever less as they became more capable of managing them — B.K.Sandwell > b. : through all time : through an indefinite time < he will ever be regarded with gratitude by his countrymen > < I have not seen him ever since > c. : in each and every case : invariably < war and suffering have ever gone hand in hand >2. : at any time : on any occasion : at any period or point of time < he is seldom if ever a visitor >: in any way : by any chance < how could I ever have lost it > < how can I ever thank you >: at all < what can I ever do to repay you >3. a. : known — used as an intensive with a superlative < it was New York City and State's worst wreck ever — Springfield (Massachusetts) Union > b. (1) — used as an intensive especially with so < the primary data are ever so often not even cataloged — L.D.Reddick > < does an ever-so-cute little dance — Time > < thank you ever so much > < it did him ever so much good > (2) : extremely, immensely — used as an intensive preceding and modifying an adjective after an inverted verb-subject construction < boy … was I ever green — Richard Bissell > < is he ever proud of it >II. adjectiveEtymology: by shorteningdialect : every < that's what I say ever time — Helen Eustis >

Time I I Informal At In Intensive So