any

any
any (adj.) O.E. ænig "any, anyone," lit. "one-y," from P.Gmc. *ainagas (Cf. O.S. enig, O.N. einigr, O.Fris. enich, Du. enig, Ger. einig), from PIE *oi-no- "one, unique" (see ONE (Cf. one)). The -y may have diminutive force here.
Emphatic form any old ______ (British variant: any bloody ______) is recorded from 1896. At any rate is recorded from 1847. Among the large family of compounds beginning with any-, anykyn "any kind" (c.1300) did not survive, and Anywhen (1831) is rarely used, but OED calls it "common in Southern [British] dialects."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:
(of many), / (indefinitely), , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • Any — A ny, a. & pron. [OE. [ae]ni[yogh], [ae]ni, eni, ani, oni, AS. [=ae]nig, fr. [=a]n one. It is akin to OS. [=e]nig, OHG. einic, G. einig, D. eenig. See {One}.] 1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Łany — may refer to the following places in Poland: *Łany, Lower Silesian Voivodeship (south west Poland) *Łany, Krasnystaw County in Lublin Voivodeship (east Poland) *Łany, Kraśnik County in Lublin Voivodeship (east Poland) *Łany, Puławy County in… …   Wikipedia

  • Any — Cet article possède des paronymes, voir : Annie et Anis. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Any — A ny, adv. To any extent; in any degree; at all. [1913 Webster] You are not to go loose any longer. Shak. [1913 Webster] Before you go any farther. Steele. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Any — or ANY may refer to: *Any (song), a song by the Japanese rock band Mr.Children *Anglesey, Wales *Anthony Municipal Airport, from its IATA airport code *ANY (magazine), a New York based architectural journal published from 1993 to 2000 …   Wikipedia

  • any — I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ǣnig; akin to Old High German einag any, Old English ān one more at one Date: before 12th century 1. one or some indiscriminately of whatever kind: a. one or another taken at random < ask… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • any — /en ee/, adj. 1. one, a, an, or some; one or more without specification or identification: If you have any witnesses, produce them. Pick out any six you like. 2. whatever or whichever it may be: cheap at any price. 3. in whatever quantity or… …   Universalium

  • ANY — Cet article possède des paronymes, voir : Annie et Anis. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • any — 1. adverb /ˈɛnɪ,ˈɛni,ˈæni/ To even the slightest extent, at all. I will not remain here any longer. 2. pronoun /ˈɛnɪ,ˈɛni,ˈæni/ Any thing(s) or person(s). Any may apply …   Wiktionary

  • any — See: HARDLY ANY or SCARCELY ANY …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • any — See: HARDLY ANY or SCARCELY ANY …   Dictionary of American idioms

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