Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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}.]
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
[See Synonym under {Because}.]
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]
He lies, as he his bliss did know. --Waller.
8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to
introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
9. 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.
10. 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.
For \For\, prep. [AS. for, fore; akin to OS. for, fora, furi, D.
voor, OHG. fora, G. vor, OHG. furi, G. f["u]r, Icel. fyrir,
Sw. f["o]r, Dan. for, adv. f["o]r, Goth. fa['u]r, fa['u]ra,
L. pro, Gr. ?, Skr. pra-. [root] 202. Cf. {Fore}, {First},
{Foremost}, {Forth}, {Pro}-.]
In the most general sense, indicating that in consideration
of, in view of, or with reference to, which anything is done
or takes place.
1. Indicating the antecedent cause or occasion of an action;
the motive or inducement accompanying and prompting to an
act or state; the reason of anything; that on account of
which a thing is or is done.
With fiery eyes sparkling for very wrath. --Shak.
How to choose dogs for scent or speed. --Waller.
Now, for so many glorious actions done, For peace at
home, and for the public wealth, I mean to crown a
bowl for C[ae]sar's health. --Dryden.
That which we, for our unworthiness, are afraid to
crave, our prayer is, that God, for the worthiness
of his Son, would, notwithstanding, vouchsafe to
grant. --Hooker.
2. Indicating the remoter and indirect object of an act; the
end or final cause with reference to which anything is,
acts, serves, or is done.
The oak for nothing ill, The osier good for twigs,
the poplar for the mill. --Spenser.
It was young counsel for the persons, and violent
counsel for the matters. --Bacon.
Shall I think the worls was made for one, And men
are born for kings, as beasts for men, Not for
protection, but to be devoured? --Dryden.
For he writes not for money, nor for praise.
--Denham.
3. Indicating that in favor of which, or in promoting which,
anything is, or is done; hence, in behalf of; in favor of;
on the side of; -- opposed to against.
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. --2 Cor. xiii.
8.
It is for the general good of human society, and
consequently of particular persons, to be true and
just; and it is for men's health to be temperate.
--Tillotson.
Aristotle is for poetical justice. --Dennis.
4. Indicating that toward which the action of anything is
directed, or the point toward which motion is made;
?ntending to go to.
We sailed from Peru for China and Japan. --Bacon.
5. Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything
acts or serves, or that to which a substitute, an
equivalent, a compensation, or the like, is offered or
made; instead of, or place of.
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give
life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand
for hand, foot for foot. --Ex. xxi. 23,
24.
6. Indicating that in the character of or as being which
anything is regarded or treated; to be, or as being.
We take a falling meteor for a star. --Cowley.
If a man can be fully assured of anything for a
truth, without having examined, what is there that
he may not embrace for tru?? --Locke.
Most of our ingenious young men take up some
cried-up English poet for their model. --Dryden.
But let her go for an ungrateful woman. --Philips.
7. Indicating that instead of which something else controls
in the performing of an action, or that in spite of which
anything is done, occurs, or is; hence, equivalent to
notwithstanding, in spite of; -- generally followed by
all, aught, anything, etc.
The writer will do what she please for all me.
--Spectator.
God's desertion shall, for aught he knows, the next
minute supervene. --Dr. H. More.
For anything that legally appears to the contrary,
it may be a contrivance to fright us. --Swift.
8. Indicating the space or time through which an action or
state extends; hence, during; in or through the space or
time of.
For many miles about There 's scarce a bush. --Shak.
Since, hired for life, thy servile muse sing.
--prior.
To guide the sun's bright chariot for a day.
--Garth.
9. Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of
which, anything is done. [Obs.]
We 'll have a bib, for spoiling of thy doublet.
--Beau. & Fl.
{For}, or {As for}, so far as concerns; as regards; with
reference to; -- used parenthetically or independently.
See under {As}.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
--Josh. xxiv.
15.
For me, my stormy voyage at an end, I to the port of
death securely tend. --Dryden.
{For all that}, notwithstanding; in spite of.
{For all the world}, wholly; exactly. ``Whose posy was, for
all the world, like cutlers' poetry.'' --Shak.
{For as much as}, or {Forasmuch as}, in consideration that;
seeing that; since.
{For by}. See {Forby}, adv.
{For ever}, eternally; at all times. See {Forever}.
{For me}, or {For all me}, as far as regards me.
{For my life}, or {For the life of me}, if my life depended
on it. [Colloq.] --T. Hook.
{For that}, {For the reason that}, because; since. [Obs.]
``For that I love your daughter.'' --Shak.
{For thy}, or {Forthy} [AS. for??.], for this; on this
account. [Obs.] ``Thomalin, have no care for thy.''
--Spenser.
{For to}, as sign of infinitive, in order to; to the end of.
[Obs., except as sometimes heard in illiterate speech.] --
``What went ye out for to see?'' --Luke vii. 25. See {To},
prep., 4.
{O for}, would that I had; may there be granted; --
elliptically expressing desire or prayer. ``O for a muse
of fire.'' --Shak.
{Were it not for}, or {If it were not for}, leaving out of
account; but for the presence or action of. ``Moral
consideration can no way move the sensible appetite, were
it not for the will.'' --Sir M. Hale.