even

even
{{11}}even (adj.) O.E. efen "level," also "equal, like; calm, harmonious; quite, fully; namely," from P.Gmc. *ebnaz (Cf. O.S. eban, O.Fris. even "level, plain, smooth," Du. even, O.H.G. eban, Ger. eben, O.N. jafn, Dan. jævn, Goth. ibns). Etymologists are uncertain whether the original sense was "level" or "alike." Used extensively in O.E. compounds, with a sense of “fellow, co-” (e.g. efeneald "of the same age;" M.E. even-sucker “foster-brother”). Of numbers, from 1550s. Modern adverbial sense (introducing an extreme case of something more generally implied) seems to have arisen 16c. from use of the word to emphasize identity ("Who, me?" "Even you," etc.) Sense of "on an equal footing" is from 1630s. Rhyming reduplication phrase even steven is attested from 1866; even break first recorded 1911. Even-tempered from 1875.
{{12}}even (n.) "end of the day," O.E. æfen, Mercian efen, Northumbrian efern (see EVE (Cf. eve)).
{{12}}even (v.) "to make level," O.E. efnan (see EVEN (Cf. even) (adj.)).

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • even — even1 [ē′vən] adj. [ME < OE efne, efen, akin to Ger eben, Goth ibns < ? IE base * yem , hold together > MIr emon, twins] 1. flat; level; smooth [even country] 2. not irregular; not varying; uniform; constant [an even tempo] 3. calm;… …   English World dictionary

  • Even — E ven, a. [AS. efen. efn; akin to OS. eban, D. even, OHG. eban, G. efen, Icel. jafn, Dan. jevn, Sw. j[ a]mn, Goth. ibns. Cf. {Anent}, {Ebb}.] 1. Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • even — Ⅰ. even [1] ► ADJECTIVE 1) flat and smooth; level. 2) equal in number, amount, or value. 3) having little variation in quality; regular. 4) equally balanced: the match was even. 5) (of a person s temper or disposition) placid; calm. 6) …   English terms dictionary

  • even — e‧ven [ˈiːvn] adjective 1. staying at the same level, rather than frequently changing from one level to the other: • Strong trade will encourage more even selling. 2. giving two sides, things, ideas etc equal or fair treatment: • We should try… …   Financial and business terms

  • even — even; even·er; even·ly; even·ness; even·tra·tion; even·tual; even·tu·al·i·ty; even·tu·al·ly; even·tu·ate; un·even; break·even; even·hand·ed·ly; even·hand·ed·ness; even·tu·a·tion; …   English syllables

  • even — is normally placed immediately before the word or phrase that it qualifies: Doctors must pursue costly and even dangerous investigations / She is talking even more loudly / He even enrolled in a business studies course. In some cases even… …   Modern English usage

  • even if — phrase used for emphasizing that although something may happen or may be true, another situation remains the same He’s determined to prove his innocence, even if he has to go to the highest court in the land. Thesaurus: words used to describe… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Even — E ven, adv. [AS. efne. See {Even}, a., and cf. {E en}.] 1. In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well. Is it even so? Shak. [1913 Webster] Even so did these Gauls possess the coast. Spenser. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • even — [adj1] flat, uniform alike, balanced, consistent, constant, continual, continuous, direct, equal, flush, homogenous, horizontal, level, matching, metrical, parallel, planate, plane, plumb, proportional, regular, right, same, smooth, square,… …   New thesaurus

  • Even — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Anat Even (* 1960), israelische Regisseurin Bert Even (* 1925), deutscher Politiker, Präsident des Bundesverwaltungsamtes Jean Even (1910 1986), französischer Maler und Plakatmaler Johannes Even… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Even — E ven, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Evened}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Evening}] 1. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth. [1913 Webster] His temple Xerxes evened with the soil. Sir. W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster] It will even all inequalities Evelyn. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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