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soadv.conj. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Common Germanic: Old English swa, swā (also swǣ, swē, etc.), = Old Frisian sa, so (Frisian sa, so, sô, sü, etc.), Middle Dutch so, soo, soe (Dutch zoo), Old Saxon sô (Middle Low German so, Low German so, sou), Old High German sô, suo (Middle High German sô, sâ, German so), Old Norse svá (Icelandic svo, †so, Norwegian and Danish saa, Swedish så), Gothic swa (also swē). The precise relation of some of these forms to each other, and the ultimate origin of the stem, are uncertain.In Old English frequently strengthened by a preceding eall (all ): for the subsequent history of this see also adv. and n. and as n.1 Signification. I. In the manner suggested, and related uses. the world > action or operation > manner of action > [adverb] > in that way the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > so or in such a manner c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius v. §3 Gelefst ðu þæt..auht godes swa geweorðan mæge butan þæ m wyrhtan. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) Ded. l. 44 Icc hafe sett her..maniȝ word. Þe rime swa to fillenn. a1250 350 So me may þane loþe lengust lede. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 19005 Fra dede to lijf nu resin es he,..Raisd sua wit godds might. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 102 A yeman he hadde, and seruantz namo At that tyme, for hym liste ryde so. a1450 26 A well yn Rome of watyr turned ynto oyle and ran soo all þat day. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Right Use Church i, in J. Griffiths (1859) ii. 154 His heavenly grace, wherewith he..endueth his people so there assembled. 1580 in W. H. Hale (1841) 85 They had in their church a godly interlude..Dominus monuit that herafter they do not so prophane their churche. 1642 J. Denham 12 For so our children thus our Friends we love. 1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer I. iv. 159 So moves..The silver-shafted Goddess of the Chace! 1780 No. 106 A person, engaged in the ordinary business of life,..and, while so engaged [etc.]. 1840 W. M. Thackeray viii There was the woman at Pau; and that girl..at Vienna. He went on just so about them all. 1874 T. Hardy I. xx. 220 ‘You don't hold the shears right, miss... Incline the edge so,’ he said. 2. (a) c825 cxlvii. 20 Ne dyde swe ylcre cneorisse. c1000 (Corpus Cambr.) xviii. 22 Andswarast ðu swa? c1055 Byrhtferth's Handboc in (1885) 8 301 Do eall swa be eallum þam oðrum. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 1175 Ah ne dude he nawiht swo [c1300 Otho so]. 1362 W. Langland A. ii. 90 Þe Tixt telleþ not so. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 13056 Qui sais þou sua? a1400 xxiii. 224 Offreþ þe lombes of Innocensye, For he comaundet so. c1450 in Aungier (1840) 251 I haue not in mende that I seyd so or dyd so. a1550 in R. Dyboski (1908) 21 Pesse, dere son, tell me not soo. 1611 Isa. xx. 2 And he did so, walking naked. View more context for this quotation ?1697 J. Lewis (1789) 24 When the Princess asked him, who taught him so? he said, Lewis. 1794 A. Radcliffe III. xiii. 446 ‘I must believe so, sir,’ replied Emily. 1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xi, in 2nd Ser. II. 280 It was now the presiding Judge's turn to address the jury. He did so briefly and distinctly. a1834 S. T. Coleridge (1840) iii. 37 I cannot doubt that they think so. 1892 67 252/1 If this had not been true, the pilot would have taken very good care to tell us so. OE 797 Ðær hie meahton swa. a1350 in G. L. Brook (1968) 47 Me þunkeþ myn herte brekeþ atuo. Suete God, whi shal hit swo? a1400 57 In ȝouthe I maye bothe ryde and goo, When I ame alde I may nott so. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 9342 Kyngis anoynt ȝe haue to-fore So shul ȝe þenne no more. c1475 (Harl. 5086) (2002) i. 5 Now must I telle in shorte, for I muste so [i.e. in brief], Youre observaunce that ye shalle done. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. iii. 254 Brut. Repaire toth' Capitoll. All. We will so . View more context for this quotation 1781 R. B. Sheridan iii. iv It's well I have a husband a-coming, or ecod I'd marry the baker, I would so. 1862 J. Ruskin iv. 166 All England may, if it so chooses, become one manufacturing town. 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxi. 97 Forth, fair bride, to the people, if So it likes you. the world > action or operation > manner of action > [adverb] > in this way a1250 405 For so seyde Salomon, þe wise: ‘Þe mon þat her wel deþ’ [etc.]. c1340 R. Rolle i. 480 For when it es born it cryes swa: If it be man it says ‘a. a’ [etc.]. c1440 462 So, or on thys wyse,..sic, siccine. 1611 Isa. xviii. 4 For so the Lord sayd vnto me; I will take my rest [etc.] . View more context for this quotation 1847 W. M. Thackeray (1848) vi. 54 How Amelia trembled as she opened it! So it ran:—[etc.]. 3. (a) c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxxvi. §7 Ac ðeah hi his nu næfre ne ge~lefen, ðeah hit is swa. OE 1471 Ne wæs þæm oðrum swa. a1000 in T. Wright & J. O. Halliwell (1845) I. 35 Ic ge-lyfe on..þat ece lif. Sy it swa. 1338 R. Mannyng (1810) 55 I praye God, if it were so, I strangle of þis brede. a1400–50 179 Sen it is sett to be soo, & slipe it ne may. 1530 J. Palsgrave 586 I holde you a noble it is nat so. 1611 Judges vi. 38 If the deaw be on the fleece onely... And it was so. 1694 J. Collier v. 67 You argue from Fact to Necessity. 'Tis so, therefore it must be so. 1756 E. Burke 28 It is always so; but was here emphatically so. 1821 W. Scott II. vi. 171 If this be all so, is it not reasonable [etc.]. 1880 ‘M. Twain’ xxvii. 246 No! Is that so? OE 2091 He mec þær on innan..gedon wolde..hyt ne mihte swa. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 67 Mid wintre he wes bi-weaued. swo hit wolde Godd. c1450 (1904) I. 83 & Saynt Petur wolde nevur so, it myght nevur com samen agayn. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) xvii. 392 Ye saye well,..and I am soo contente. 1594 T. Lodge & R. Greene sig. Ev You are a welcome guest if so you please. 1701 J. Norris I. ii. 95 We need but.., instead of I affirm so if so, say If so I affirm so. 1731 A. Pope Let. 15 Feb. in (1956) III. 177 I am very desirous to leave out that Note, if you like so. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 11725 Quer it es sua yee wat it noght þat handes mine þis tre has wroght. a1450 2517 The knyghtis..said..that so them thought That syr mordred the sekereste was. c1460 (?c1400) l. 3569 Sith þat it so is, That of the first pleyntyff wee have sikirnes. a1538 T. Starkey (1989) 7 Though hyt be so that man abusyth the..cumpany of man. 1663 S. Patrick (1687) 474 Yet so it was, that one day he seriously told his Friend. 1711 R. Steele No. 144. ⁋1 Yet so it is, that People can bear any Quality in the World better than Beauty. 1763 J. Brown v. 61 How came it so to pass, that the first Race of Men were..of a stronger Turn to Poetry? 13.. in Horstman (1896) I. 169 If so be þat þo haf les schame with þi foule herte þen with þi foule body. 1390 J. Gower I. 48 That can I do wel, Be so my lif therto wol laste. c1482 in II. (1830) Pref. 64 If it hadde be soo that the forsaide John Ferrers hadde not made feithfull promyse. 1495–6 in T. Stapleton (1839) 114 Thynking that to be our next way, if so were that we wold not advise you to com not up by the pryvie seale. a1547 Earl of Surrey tr. Virgil (1554) iv. sig. Div If so that yonder wycked head must needes Recouer porte. 1559 P. Morwyng tr. C. Gesner If so be it the mesure of the bloud excied three sextares. 1611 Josh. xiv. 12 If so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall bee able to driue them out. View more context for this quotation 1638 R. Brathwait Bessie Bell in (new ed.) sig. Ee7 Thus love I thee, so be thou love me. 1665 T. Herbert (new ed.) 173 If so be we left the Road,..they would wind about our horses legs. 1749 Ld. Chesterfield 24 Nov. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1443 If so be that I can get that affair done by the next post, I will not fail for to give your Lordship an account of it. 1861 Aug. 183 ‘It's my opinion that any man can be a duke if so be it's born to him.’ 4. c1000 Ælfric II. xxix. 52 Paulus..gemette ænne blindne mann, se wæ s geboren swa. c1450 (1904) I. 85 A preste þat trowid he was a passand gude synger, not-with-stondyng he was not so. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Fasting i, in J. Griffiths (1859) ii. 284 Which works..are called good works, and are so indeed. 1580 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 53 Some come, some go, this life is so. a1627 T. Middleton & W. Rowley (1656) iv. 52 Hees merry As if he had no such charge? one with that care Could never be so. 1664 H. More ii. ii. i. 338 If the Devil be a Beast, that which makes him so is the wickedness of his nature. 1737 A. Pope i. vi. 3 To make men happy, and to keep them so. 1843 G. Borrow I. vii. 129 He was half intoxicated, and soon became three parts so. 1885 15 316 The catch..was worn away, and probably had been so for months. a1300 27573 Man es..prode for halines, And lates oft lightly o þaa Men þat er noght funden sua. 1610 II. 1 Macc. x. comm. It was not in the kings powre to make Jonathas highpriest, but..the king..did so account him. 1644 J. Vicars 195 They taking us to be their friends, and wee them so too. 1710 R. Steele No. 126. ⁋1 Her Attractions would indeed be irresistible, but that she thinks them so. 1784 J. Potter II. 179 Though I am afraid it is not always considered so. 1847 C. Brontë I. ii. 23 ‘Silence! This violence is all most repulsive:’ and so, no doubt, she felt it. 1896 100 358/1 R. became a lunatic, and was so found by inquisition. 1658 R. Allestree vi. §3. 137 This humility is of two sorts, the first is the having a mean and low opinion of our selves, the second is the being content that others should have so of us. 1662 E. Stillingfleet ii. iii. §4 Whether the person..hath divine authority for what he saith. What ground can I have to believe that he hath so? 1609 W. Shakespeare xiii. 13 My..babe Marina, Whom, for she was borne at sea, I haue named so . View more context for this quotation 1617 S. Collins To Rdr. p. ix Hee maruells that the Papists should be so called [sc. novitii]. 1659 J. Pearson viii. 635 The..Scriptures..term him plainly and expresly so. 1726 J. Swift I. i. viii. 147 My son Johnny, named so after his Uncle. 1807 W. Wordsworth II. 66 A Highland Boy!—why call him so? 1859 J. Hadley (1873) x. 194 This mode of ‘futurizing’ (if we may so call it). 5. In various elliptic uses: the mind > language > statement > assent > [adverb] > expression of assent a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 13560 Somme seide nay & somme so. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 5207 How sua, es þar na noþer king? 1526 Luke i. f. lxxiijv Not soo, but he shalbe called Ihon. 1579 W. Fulke Heskins Parl. Repealed in 155 This hath nothing lesse then that. Why so? 1579 E. Spenser May 312 If Foxes bene so crafty, as so. a1593 C. Marlowe (1594) sig. Kv That Edmund laid a plot, To set his brother free, no more but so. 1676 G. Etherege i. i. 13 Dor. I am glad he pitcht upon Loveit. Bell. How so? 1819 W. Scott II. xiv. 256 He will not die unless we abandon him, and if so, we are indeed answerable for his blood. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Lady Clare in (new ed.) II. 197 ‘Nay now,..keep the secret all ye can.’ She said ‘Not so.’ 1871 R. Ellis tr. Catullus lxxxv. 1 Half I hate, half love. How so? one haply requireth. 1896 G. N. Boothby i. 20 ‘I know China as well as any living Englishman.’ ‘Quite so.’ 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. D1 So so, quoth he, these lets attend the time. View more context for this quotation 1602 T. Heywood How Man may chuse Good Wife in W. C. Hazlitt (1874) IX. 55 So, let me see: my apron. 1605 sig. Aiii So, so, Andrea must be sent imbassador? 1741 S. Richardson III. xxxii. 251 And I say..So, my good Friends!—I am glad to see you. 1775 R. B. Sheridan ii. ii So, so, ma'am! I humbly beg pardon. the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > [adverb] (a) 1602 W. Shakespeare iii. i. 98 Giue me thy hand celestiall: So. 1627 J. Smith ix. 38 Steare steady & keep your course, so, you go wel. 1649 R. Lovelace (1864) 112 Where now one so so spatters, t'other: no! 1669 S. Sturmy i. ii. 18 So, thus, keep her thus. 1821 W. Scott II. xi. 269 Walk through the apartment... So; feel you not now that you are possessed of the full use of your limbs? 1833 T. Hook II. i. 16 Here, let me just turn that curl—there, so. 1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher So!, an order to desist temporarily from hauling upon a rope, when it has come to its right position. the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > [adverb] a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 123 If it please you, so: if not: why so. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. iii. 14 If you can penetrate her with your fingering, so . View more context for this quotation 1613 T. Fitzherbert 220 So he; doubting as you see, of the truth of his witnesses. 1685 E. Stillingfleet i. 9 So Bale; but Pits places him ten years later. 1803 G. Colman i. i. 8 Per. Is your house far from the sea shore? Mrs. B. About three miles, Sir. Per. So! and I have been wandering about since day break. 1886 9 Jan. 3/4 ‘Oh, Mr. Blobbs, you can form no idea of the terrible dream I had last night.’.. ‘So?’ remarked Mr. Blobbs, continuing the perusal of the morning paper. 1903 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley VI. ii. 289/1 ‘The King returns to town to-day’ ‘So?’ 1973 H. Nielsen i. 6 ‘Small craft warnings are out.’ ‘So?’ Simon queried. 1977 W. Tute vii. 122 ‘You will see whoever Major Masri decides you should see,’ the officer said curtly... ‘So!’ she said to herself. 1978 A. Morice i. 13 ‘He's an estate agent.’.. ‘So?’ ‘So nothing.’ 1913 4 55 So, adj., used sometimes as ‘too’ and ‘just the same’ are used to intensify an assertion in reply to an expression of scepticism. ‘You don't know anything about it!’ ‘I do so!’ 1931 7 20 So, emphatic in absolute use. ‘I was—so!’ 1937 L. B. Murphy ii. 62 Eunice, ‘I don't.’ Anne, ‘You do so.’ 1951 N. M. Gunn xiv. 101 ‘You don't like butter!’ she cried. ‘I do so like butter!’ ‘You don't! You don't!’.. ‘I do so!’ he yelled. 1953 K. Tennant xii. 103 ‘How old are you?’ ‘Eighteen.’ ‘Eighteen, my fat aunt.’.. ‘I am so eighteen.’ 1979 G. Swarthout 28 ‘I've published nineteen!’ ‘You haven't.’ ‘I have so.’ 6. In combinations: c1430 T. Hoccleve 124 If so-causid seeknesse on me fil As dide on the. 1467–8 V. 629/2 The which soo named brode sette Clothes. 1602 W. Watson 181 The so authorized deprives the authorizer of his superioritie over him. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 37 I will..plucke the borrowed vaile of modestie from the so-seeming Mist.[ress] Page. View more context for this quotation 1626 G. Sandys tr. Ovid vii. 135 Whom now the so-instructed sisters led Into his chamber. 1815 63 Forbidding all his subjects to pay taxes..to the so-titled imperial government. 1830 J. F. W. Herschel iii. iv. 304 The multiplication of so-considered elementary bodies. 1883 1 Feb. 326/1 The so-formed super-phosphate. 1509 in J. Gairdner (1858) 444 Farnando Duke and the do[ctor] de Puebla had byn dysstroyed for theyre so doyngys. 1803 tr. G. C. A. Pigault-Lebrun I. 110 What! asleep yet, sluggard!.. And with so saying, pinched his ear. a1834 S. T. Coleridge (1840) iii. 37 Because the so thinking supersedes the necessity of all after-thought. 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen 104 To cal thayme selff..successours of the apostlis, o say lik? say lik? ?1569 W. Lauder sig. Bivv Salyke sic Pryde, pertenis to trew teaching. 1827 W. Tennant 158 Sae-wyse the Papists..Did scatter aff. 7. As adj.the world > action or operation > manner of action > [adverb] > in this way 1867 J. F. Dimock V. 431 Perhaps it was something like the modern Scotch plaid, wrapped round the body; the so use of which is certainly very ancient. 1890 1 i. 23 So fashion, meaning so, in that way. Is this known all over New England? 1903 G. S. Wasson v. 86 It don't look right for nobody..to take and hang on to them tormented ole witch-bridles so-fashion! 1913 R. Frost in Dec. 415 I'll knock so-fashion and peep round the door When I come back, so you'll know who it is. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual orientation > homosexuality > [adjective] > homosexual 1937 in E. Partridge 1963 C. Mackenzie II. 254 ‘I've come to the conclusion,’ he told me, ‘that I'm not really “so” at all. I much prefer girls.’ At this date [sc. 1899] the cant word among homosexuals for their proclivities was ‘so’. That seems to have vanished completely from current cant. a1967 J. R. Ackerley (1968) xvi. 192 A young ‘so’ man, picked up by Arthur in a Hyde Park urinal. 1973 23 Feb. (Colour Suppl.) 51/4 Wilde used to call him ‘the architect of the moon’. Rothenstein, Beerbohm,..and Epstein were his more predictable friends, as he was not..at all ‘gay’, as it is now called, or, as it was then called, ‘so’. II. Placed at the beginning of a clause with continuative force, and frequently preceded by and. (a) 1154 (Laud) ann. 1135 Men..sæden ðæt micel þing sculde cumen herefter; sua dide. c1330 (Kölbing) 9817 Þe clerk Merlin..dede hem liȝt,..So þai dede & blisse made. c1374 G. Chaucer ii. 1284 ‘Lo, yond he rit!’ Quod she, ‘ye, so he dooth’. a1529 J. Skelton (?1530) sig. Cii A byde syr qd he—mary so I do. 1611 Ezra iv. 24. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 58 Ab. You should for that haue reprehended him. Adr. Why so I did. View more context for this quotation 1653 I. Walton ii Now have at him with Killbuck, for he vents again. Venator. Marry! so he does. 1757 S. Foote i. 18 You had better hold your chattering, so you had. 1898 T. Watts-Dunton iv. iii My father's birthday? Why, so it is! (a) c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxv Swa doð eac wudufuglas. a1200 146 Ful wombe mei lihtliche speken of hunger..swa mei of pine þe ne cnauð hu þe scal a ilesten. a1250 308 Mony appel is bryht wiþ-vte, and bitter wiþ-inne; So is mony wymmon [etc.]. c1350 Childh. Jesus 91 in Horstman (1878) 102/2 ‘Certes, me thrystyt wonder sore.’ ‘Certes,’ seyt Josep, ‘so do I’. c1430 J. Lydgate (Percy Soc.) 24 The sonne chaungith, so doth the pale mone. 1601 R. Johnson tr. G. Botero 153 So againe was Cyrus by Tomiris, who slew him and all his host. 1671 J. Milton Pref. 3 For so in Physic things of melancholic hue and quality are us'd against melancholy. 1721 A. Ramsay 7 Sae, th' heedless heir..Lets ilka sneaking fellow take a pluck. 1842 R. Browning Pied Piper of Hamelin in ix The Mayor looked blue; So did the Corporation too. 1890 89 165/1 If the lienors may insure, so may the owners of the injured ship and cargo. 10. the world > existence and causation > causation > cause or reason > [adverb] (a) c1250 Old Kentish Serm. in 32 Hise deciples hedde gret drede of þise tempeste, so hi a-wakede hine. c1374 G. Chaucer v. 1233 Fayn he wolde dye, So on a day he leyde him doun to slepe. c1420 J. Lydgate 434 So forthe yn he went & spake wordys fell. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Sacrament i, in J. Griffiths (1859) ii. 440 So then, as of necessity we must be our selves partakers of this Table [etc.]. 1616 J. Lane vi. 334 What all pleasures dothe containe is greater, so is pleasures soveraigne. 1821 W. Scott I. i. 15 A shelter..is all I seek for; so name your rent. 1896 G. N. Boothby v. 94 We leave at daybreak for Pekin, so I will wish you good-bye now. b. 1710 J. Swift 23 Sept. (1948) I. 28 So you have got into Presto's lodgings; very fine, truly! 1780 R. B. Sheridan ii. iii. 25 Well,—so, one of my nephews..is a wild young rogue. 1809 Ld. Byron in R. C. Dallas (1825) I. 95 So Lord G* is married to a rustic! Well done! 1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides I. 42 And so we have met at last, but with what difficulty! 1950 B. Malamud in XVII. 666 Miriam returned after 11.30... ‘So where did you go?’ Feld asked pleasantly. 1952 M. Pei 182 The adverb so at the beginning of a sentence (‘So I'll pay for it!’), probably of Yiddish origin, occurs frequently in conversation. 1960 ‘E. McBain’ i. 4 ‘I warn you..I ain't got no wine.’ ‘So who wants wine?’ 1977 F. Branston v. 49 ‘How much profit..?’ ‘Impossible to do more than make a wild guess.’ ‘So make a wild guess.’ the mind > emotion > indifference > [phrase] > expression of indifference 1934 M. H. Weseen 399 So what?—What of it? What does it matter?.. What does that have to do with the matter? Your remark has no bearing or significance. 1935 F. Baldwin v. 83 ‘He has a wife,’ said the girl gloomily. ‘So what?’ asked Angela carelessly. 1938 C. Landery (title) So what? a young man's odyssey. 1949 21 Nov. 104 That is unfortunate and disappointing but, to use an American expression, ‘So what?’ 1953 in (1955) . Add. The tragedy of the ‘So what?’ generation. 1960 M. A. Sindall xiii. 177 She suddenly yawned and flung the magazine on to the seat. ‘So what!’ she murmured. 1968 C. Watson x. 126 No, the fact is that Henny and I got along as well as most. Not around each other's necks all the time, but so what? 1970 T. Hilton viii. 201 Burne-Jones pushed art so far away from this world that our reactions to some of his paintings are of a merely so-what kind. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adverb] > after, afterwards, or later (a) c1300 (Laud) (1868) 2858 Thanne he hauede sikernesse Taken.., so dide he calle Þe erl of Cestre. 1393 W. Langland C. viii. 232 So [earlier texts þenne] shalt þow come to a court. a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 794 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 119 Sa come ye ruke. c1614 W. Mure tr. Virgil Dido & Æneas in (1898) I. 72 Achates only he his convoy makes, Swa journey taks where fortune guides the way. ?1697 J. Lewis (1789) 29 The Princess thought it high time to have him taught to walk regularly, so by degrees to dance. a1536 W. Tyndale (1848) 433 If thou believe not.., so is it impossible that [etc.]. 1567 (1897) 18 Will thow thy sinfull lyfe confes,..Sa ar ȝe worthie, small and greit. III. To that extent; in that degree. For ever so, never so, in emphatic use, see ever adv. and adj. Phrases 5a(a), Phrases 1b, and never adv. 4a. 13. the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [adverb] > to this or that extent (a) c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius v. §3 Ne gelyfe ic no þæt hit geweorþan meahte swa endebyrdlice. c975 Matt. viii. 10 Swa micel geleafa ne gemotte ic in Israhele. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 302 Nes castel nan swa [c1300 Otho so] strong. 1297 (Rolls) 7551 Þer nas prince in al þe world of so noble fame. 1338 R. Mannyng (1810) 54 In suilk apparaille dight, þat so riche armes was neuer sene with sight. c1400 15509 In al this world is non silke, So noble werk, ne so riche. 1501 in T. Stapleton (1839) 157 I was never so werie & soferd of my life, since I was borne. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens 22 The great Bistorte hath long leaves like Patience, but smaller, and not so smothe or playne. 1647 T. Fuller xvi. 121 A meaner man, of whose spiritualnesse the patient hath not so high..conceipts. 1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace ii. i. 46 They neither wrestle, sing, or paint so well. 1797 W. Godwin i. vi. 38 Men were no longer shut up in so narrow boundaries. 1803–5 W. Wordsworth 13 A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 89 The Cavaliers..were by no means disposed to revive an institution so odious. 1582 W. Allen sig. d8v Is it possible to find xij so wicked..men in this citye..that will finde vs guiltie togeather of this one crime. 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. G1 No perfection is so absolute, That some impuritie doth not pollute. View more context for this quotation 1611 Job xli. 10 None is so fierce that dare stirre him vp. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 312 Who so firme, that cannot be seduc'd? View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. i. 272 A Witch..so strong That could controle the Moone. View more context for this quotation 1753 L. M. tr. J. Du Bosc II. 26 There is no design so black, which Ambition scruples to conceive. 1780 No. 92 There is nothing so absurd or extravagant, which riches..will not tempt him to commit. 1821 W. Scott I. viii. 202 He..came not thither so private but what he was espied by one who told me. 14. (a) c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxxv. §3 Nu ðu þæt swa openlice ongiten hæfst, ne ðearfe ic nu..ymb ðæt swincan. OE 347 Gif he us geunnan wile, þæt we hine swa godne gretan moton. a1225 171 Þe wrecches þet ha seh swa wraðe werkes wurchen. 1297 (Rolls) 590 Þat king lotrin..dude al his wille, vor he lokede so rowe. 1340 R. Rolle 4073 Þe empire, þat was swa myghty, Es now destruyed a grete party. 1390 J. Gower III. 1 This vice, which so out of rule Hath sette ous alle, is cleped Gule. 1412 xi. 50 God dede þe make, Put soule of resoun in flesche so frele. ?1504 S. Hawes sig. gg.ii Amonge the floures so swete of ayre. 1627 W. Sclater 297 The bones of so dogged Contentions. 1678 J. Dryden iii. 33 I fear'd he lov'd her:..For 'twere impossible that two, so one, Should not have lov'd the same. 1741 S. Richardson III. xxix. 168 My Face..was hid in my Bosom, and I looked so silly! 1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in 14 To see herself escap'd from so sore ills. 1839 P. J. Bailey 220 The Norman! so noble, and stately and tall. 1882 E. A. Floyer 302 The absence of ruined buildings, which so invariably form the major part of a Persian town. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 1903 Þu eært a swa hende gome. 13.. in Horstman (1875) 75 Of a so ȝong þing. 1340 (1866) 100 To by zone to ane zuo greate emperur. 1535 G. Joye 19 Nothinge performing his so large promyses. ?1542 H. Brinkelow viii. sig. C2 Ye may set to reforme thes so wicked lawes. 1629 J. Gaule 329 You may see your face in his so transparant cheeks. 1662 A. Marvell Let. 8 May in (1971) II. 250 The reason of our so long silence. a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1645 (1955) II. 443 Divers Statues.., among which the so celebrated Eve. 1865 J. Ruskin ii. 128 The one weakness of his so mighty love. 1887 H. Caine III. xxxix. 178 The so heavy burden thou bearest. 1297 (Rolls) 1490 Vor he was so god kniȝt & al so so noble king, He bed vor to ȝiue him is doȝter in spousing. c1400 (1839) vi. 66 Thei seyn, that thei scholde not entre in to so holy Place. c1425 J. Lydgate 1417 Syth they so long tyme haue made me so madde. 1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara 110 In the time of so great and excellent philosopher. 1814 W. Scott 14 Sept. (1932) III. 498 So short time have I been absent. 1867 J. Ruskin ix. §40 In so apparently desultory manner. (a) c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 1538 Gret is þe gode gle,..Þat..ȝe wolde..pyne yow with so pouer a mon. 1412–20 J. Lydgate tr. iv. 1855 Hector, þat was so noble a knyȝt. 1548 f. lvjv Yf we dye so glorious a death in so good a quarell. 1624 F. Quarles viii. 4 To kisse the lips of so, so faire a Bride. 1780 No. 95 I thought I had never beheld so interesting an object. a1845 R. H. Barham Brothers of Birchington in (1847) 3rd Ser. 267 So barefaced a blunder. 1902 J. Gairdner (1903) viii. 140 So insulting a message was clearly out of the question. 1569 J. Sanford tr. H. C. Agrippa 66 b The feeble definition of so an approved philosopher. 1614 J. Selden 148 Vpon so an apparant diminution of the peoples libertie. 1656 T. Fuller Notes Jonah in 25 So an unnaturall sin was Atheisme. 1664 S. Pepys 10 Jan. (1971) V. 11 We are all glad, so very a known rogue he was. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iv. ii. 27 Putting on so new a fashion'd robe. View more context for this quotation a1640 P. Massinger (1976) ii. i. 113 Was there ever soe sweete a temperd Roman? 1682 A. Mudie Ep. Ded. sig. A iiijv The constitutions of so well a Governed Kingdom. 1756 W. Toldervy III. 173 So jealous a pated fellow. 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ IV. vii. liii. 89 ‘You would have me love what I have from the time I was so high’—here she held her left hand a yard from the floor. 1899 R. Kipling 226 ‘Do 'ee lov' me, Mary?’ ‘Iss—fai! Talled 'ee zo since yeou was zo high!’ 1916 A. Huxley c12 July (1969) 105 Vassall..seems..to have known me when I was ‘so high’. 1963 ‘B. Graeme’ xiv. 157 As a so-high kid I had ‘liked’ ice cream. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 5290 He haþ delyuered me of my woo And put me to welþe no mon so. c1480 (a1400) St. Juliana 245 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) II. 431 For þe desert þat þu can ma to god, þat þe a-wansit sa. 1579 E. Spenser Aug. 15 What payne doth thee so appall? 1615 G. Sandys 1 Celebrated for quarries of excellent marble, which do so adorne the Venetian palaces. 1626 T. Hawkins tr. N. Caussin I. 436 I cannot so harden my hart, but that it may be softned. 1833 H. Martineau (new ed.) i. 2 O father, my knees have been aching so all day. 1849 E. B. Eastwick 22 The waves, which..did in this place so confound and toss about the triremes of Alexander. 1884 C. Gibbon xiv I held back because I loved you so. the world > relative properties > relationship > equality or equivalence > [adverb] 1697 W. Dampier viii. 228 The Tree or Shrub that bears it is like the Prickle Pear-tree, about 5 foot high, and so prickly. IV. Introducing one or both of two clauses expressing comparison or correspondence. †17. the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > such that c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxxix. §12 He..swincð þonne ymb þæt swa he swiðost mæg. 971 19 Cleopian we nu in eglum mode.., swa se blinda dyde. OE 490 Site nu to symle..swa þin sefa hwette. a1122 (Laud) ann. 1016 Se here..slogon & bærndon..swa heora gewuna wæs. a1275 608 Sone min so dere, do so ich þe lere. c1380 (1879) l. 5383 Gweynes fleȝ forþ so wynd and rayn. a1400 (W.) 6260 A folk..Al blak so cole-brond. a1000 in B. Thorpe (1840) I. 190 Syx swa micel. c1330 (Ritson) 336 Thaugh heo weore ten so briht. c1385 G. Chaucer Thisbe. 736 Forbede a loue & it is ten so wod. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1869) II. 177 Þe lengþe of a manis body..be..ten so moche as þe depnesse þat is from þe rugge to þe wombe. 1399 W. Langland iii. 168 Þei ffor þe pesinge paieth pens ten duble That þe cloþe costened. c1400 Siege of Troy 396 in LXXII. 21 Ector is ten so strong as þou [older version, ten siþe streyngor þen þow]. c1420 (Weber) 746 Yette was Y ten so glad When that thou gaffe all that thou had. 1587 L. Mascall (1627) 203 Others with twise so great a stocke. 971 205 And þa fotlastas wæron swutole..on þæm stane, swa hie on wexe wæron aðyde. OE Cynewulf 850 Nu is þon gelicost swa we on laguflode ofer cald wæter ceolum liðan geond sidne sæ. c1250 142 Heo song so lude.., Ryht so me grulde schille harpe. c1275 Passion Our Lord 542 in 52 Hi vellen so hi were ded. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 594 Also lith was it þer-inne, So þer brenden cerges inne. c1175 145 Hwa se wile cume efter me. 1340 R. Rolle iii. 2595 In what state swa he be þan. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 2565 What man so vs metes, may vs sone knowe. a1425 (a1325) (Galba) l. 28788 Whether so askes more rightwisly, Sall be herd of god almighty. c1425 J. Lydgate 1406 Dredde shalt thow be, wher so thow become. c1450 (1904) I. 34 Promysyng hym to do what þing so he commanddid hym. 1559 W. Baldwin et al. Two Mortimers f. viv Whom so they take they slay. a1593 C. Marlowe (1594) sig. A4v Commaund What so thy mind affectes. †18. so..so. c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxxix. §4 Swa hit is swa þu sægst. 971 137 Hit wæs þa swa leoht swa se mergen~lica steorra. a1240 Ureisun in I. 193 Heo beoð so read so rose, so hwit so þe lilie. 1297 (Rolls) 5369 Þat londfolc to him com so þikke so it miȝte go. c1330 R. Mannyng (Rolls) 6827 Þe arewes come so þykke so reyn. 1393 W. Langland C. xiv. 188 Ich see noone so ofte sorfeten, Soþliche so mankynde. c825 cii. 13 Swe mildsað feder bearnum, swe mildsiende bið dryhten ondredendum hine. 971 9 Swa se hyhtenda gigant, swa Drihten on middangearde bliðe wunode. a1175 39 Swa se þu forȝeuest..swa þin drihten forȝeueð þe þine misdede. a1400 (Laud) 2210 So on þe shyngel liþe þe haile, Euery kniȝth so lijþ on oþer. 1667 J. Milton vii. 288 So high as heav'd the tumid Hills, so low Down sunk a hollow bottom. View more context for this quotation] c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius vii. §4 Swa him mon mare selð, swa hine ma lyst. 971 15 Swa hie him swyþor styrdon, swa he hludor cleopode. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 139 Se þe sechnesse is mare se þe goldsmið is bisegere. a1240 Lofsong in I. 215 Þet hit ontende me..in þine luue, so lengre so more. a1400 xxix. v. 47 Hym þhouȝte euere so leng so wors. the world > action or operation > manner of action > [adverb] > in this way > in this very manner (a) OE 435 Ic þæt þonne forhicge, swa me Higelac sie..modes bliðe, þæt [etc.]. c1175 33 Swa me helpe drihten. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 1519 Iheren ich wlle..sua [c1300 Otho so] þe helpe Appollin hu deore þe beo lif min. 1382 Exod. x. 10 So the Lord be with ȝow, what maner thanne Y shal leeue ȝow? c1386 G. Chaucer 931 This schal ben doon.., So wisly God my soule bringe in blisse! [See also save v. Phrases 2c.] a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich (1913) II. l. 12034 J wolde, so god me spede, That pes purchaced were betwixen vs two. 1480 in Gross II. 71 Soo god yow help and holydome. ?1507 W. Dunbar Tua Mariit Wemen (Rouen) in (1998) I. 45 I hait him with my hert, sa help me our Lord. 1565 T. Cooper at Ita So god saue me. 1603 R. Knolles 572 So helpe me great Mahomet, it shall not so bee. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth v, in 2nd Ser. III. 111 This seat..I claim as my right—so prosper me God and St Barr! 1868 c. 72 §2 I..do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, her heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God. 20. the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [adverb] > so or in such a manner a1225 1055 Unweoten, þe weneð þet hit beo swa as hit on ehe bereð ham. a1300 i. 3 Al his liue swa sal it be, Als it fares bi a tre. 1390 J. Gower I. Prol. 5 I thenke forto touche also The world..So as I can, so as I mai. c1450 (1904) I. 34 Þis preste askid hur whi sho wepud so as sho did. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) iv. 119 Soo well clothed & arrayed, as I have tolde you above. 1535 Gen. xviii. A Do euen so as thou hast spoken. 1554 c. 8 §52 Hereditaments, so to be amortized as is aforesaid. 1594 W. Shakespeare sig. M4 He with the Romains was esteemed so As seelie ieering idiots are with Kings. View more context for this quotation 1611 Psalms lxiii. 2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I haue seen thee in the Sanctuary. View more context for this quotation 1681 J. Flavell xxix. 496 They must so walk as he walked. 1797 XVII. 407/1 Lay the bend mould upon it, so as may best answer the round. c1386 G. Chaucer 493 Sche to the sergeant preyde, So as he was a worthy gentilman, That [etc.]. 1390 J. Gower I. 310 I..beseche Unto the mihti Cupido,..So as he is of love a godd [etc.]. 1463 in F. W. Weaver (1901) 197 I charged ham so as they will answere afore God. 1596 E. Spenser v. viii. sig. S5v So ran they all, as they had bene at bace. View more context for this quotation 21. so..as, to the same extent, in the same degree, as: ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 119 Þenne nis hit to naut se god ase to þe fur of helle. 1362 W. Langland A. viii. 167 Bote trustene to Trienals..Is not so syker for þe soule, sertes, as do-wel. c1386 G. Chaucer 45 Who is so trewe and eek so ententyf To kepe him..as is his make? 1581 W. Allen f. 121 Death and dungeons be not so terrible things..as they seeme. 1596 E. Spenser vi. iii. sig. Bbv For a man by nothing is so well bewrayd, As by his manners. View more context for this quotation 1646 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney (1907) I. 343 Women were never soe usefull as now. 1672 J. Dryden i. ii. i. 13 His Victories we scarce could keep in view, Or polish 'em so fast as he rough drew. 1763 C. Johnstone (new ed.) I. 260 This is not so strange or ingrateful as it may appear. 1779 No. 58 Emilia, who now observed that her husband was nowhere so happy as in the country. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Morte d'Arthur in (new ed.) II. 11 I never saw,..So great a miracle as yonder hilt. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. v. 667 Never..had the condition of the Puritans been so deplorable as at that time. 1390 J. Gower I. 154 So seker as I have a lif, Thou scholdest thanne be my wif. c1460 J. Fortescue (1885) 128 A prince double so myghty as was thair old prince. 1535 2 Sam. xix. 32 Barsillai was very olde, so good as foure score yeare olde. c1550 R. Bieston A vj b Smockes as snow so white. 1621 R. Montagu 252 The one is become so old as the other. 1714 Locke's Ess. Humane Understanding i. ii, in I. 7 This way of arguing is so frivolous, as the Supposition of it self is false. ?1790 J. Imison (ed. 2) 303 This planet being but a fifth part so big as the earth. 1817 W. Scott II. i. 4 Although I readily gave my uncle the advantage of my pen..so often as he desired to correspond with a neighbour. 1876 M. G. Pearse 155 'Tis a'most so good for ourselves as 'tis for those we try to save. 1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 123 So small a kingdome as that is of Portingale. 1664 in G. Miege (1669) 373 Seeing upon so extraordinary occasions as these, the boldest Eloquence would lose its Speech. 1779 No. 63 It was impossible that a girl so amiable as Emily Hargrave could fail to attract attention. 1820 J. Keats Hyperion: a Fragm. ii, in 185 Have I rous'd Your spleens with so few simple words as these? 1861 M. Pattison in Apr. 408 The interest excited in England by events passing in so distant a quarter as Moravia. 1878 T. Hardy III. vi. iii. 291 I am not fit for town life—so very rural and silly as I always have been. 1555 J. Proctor 37 It is so straunge a case as the world neuer saw. 1629 M. Drayton in J. Beaumont Ded. sig. (a)2v So lasting pillars to prop vp thy prayse, As time shall hardly shake. 1677 J. Dryden iv. i. 27 Is our perfection of so frail a make; As ev'ry plot can undermine or shake? 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti II. 46 Their Arch may come..so lower as you think fit. 22. as..so: the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [adverb] > to this or that extent the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > in agreement or harmony (with) [phrase] > even as, just as, or equally > in the same way that, so the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > in agreement or harmony (with) [phrase] > even as, just as, or equally c1340 R. Rolle 32 Als he was ay God in trinite Swa be es, and ay God sal be. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 17465 Als þai war for-boght sua þai did. a1400–50 14 For as þaire wittis ere with-in, so þer will folowis. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) lxvii. 232 Such as the mayster was so was the seruuant. 1553 T. Wilson Prol. (1580) A v b As it was, so it is, and so be it still hereafter. 1611 Prov. xxiii. 7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. View more context for this quotation 1711 J. Addison No. 47. ¶7 In proportion as there are more Follies discover'd, so there is more Laughter raised. 1820 J. Keats Lamia i, in 18 Even as thou vanishest so I shall die. 1830 Ld. Tennyson xiv And as the lightning to the thunder..So was their meaning to her words. 1887 W. Morris tr. Homer I. xi. 211 For as often as stooped the elder when he longed for the water sweet, So oft it waned. c1340 R. Rolle 2 Als ded slaas all, Swa lufe ouer-comes all. 1563 2nd Tome Homelyes Sacrament i, in J. Griffiths (1859) ii. 439 As of old time God decreed.., so our loving Saviour hath ordained [etc.]. 1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius 67 As it vald be verray lang, sa is it verray hard. 1619 in W. Foster (1906) 79 As itt is an unsupportable wrong, soe itt inthralleth us to many other inconveniences. 1677 A. Marvell in (1971) I. 142 As he loved not to make work, so not to leave it imperfect. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. iv. 36 As we rose with the sun, so we never pursued our labours after it was gone down. 1831 J. C. Loudon §6009 As the planters differ in the number of hills.., so are they no less capricious as to the manner of placing them. 1881 B. Jowett tr. Thucydides I. 45 As in the arts, so also in politics, the new must always prevail over the old. V. Idiomatic uses with that. (a) OE 1508 Bær þa seo brimwylf..hringa þengel to hofe sinum, swa he ne mihte..wæpna gewealdan. 1377 W. Langland B. xiii. 64 Thanne seide I to my-self, so Pacience it herde. 1851 H. Melville cxxi. 564 Take your leg off from the crown of the anchor here, though, so I can pass the rope. 1902 E. Banks xii. 143 One of the books in front of mine was six shillings. I bought it so mine would show. 1913 [see sense 7a]. 1949 W. Rogers 44 The reason they leave some of our boys over there..is so they can get mail that was sent to them during the war. 1951 C. P. Snow i. 3 Shovelling coal up the back of the chimney, throwing it on so it would burn for hours. 1968 3 Mar. e6/3 The main reason Gender is back in the classroom is so he can converse in the many languages he knows. 1977 A. Thwaite 28 I shall make it simple so you understand. 24. so..that, in such a way, to such an extent, that: OE 323 Hio þonne æfter him ece stondað simle singales swa beclysed þæt nænig oþer nymðe nergend god, hy æfre ma eft onluceð. a1240 Ureisun in I. 183 [Thou art] swo leoflic and swa lufsum þet te engles a biholdeþ þe. 1297 (Rolls) 2207 Þe romeins beþ anud of hor trauail so sore..þat hii nolleþ come here nanmore. c1340 R. Rolle 324 Swilk men er ay swa unstedfast, Þat na drede may with þam last. c1450 ii. 37 The water maketh so grete bruyt that all that is made a-boven it moste nede falle. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. liiv Their cotes be so syde, that they be fayne to tucke them vp whan they ryde. 1574 E. Hellowes tr. A. de Guevara 258 You aske me histories so straunge.., that my wittes may not in anye wyse but needes go on pilgrimage. 1625 S. Purchas II. 1138 The wind..came with so great gales, that it raised the sands of the coast very high. 1749 H. Fielding II. vi. iii. 241 The Squire was so delighted with this Conduct of his Daughter, that he scarce eat any Dinner. View more context for this quotation 1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in I. 26 So ill that she could hardly speak. 1862 M. E. Braddon I. viii. 142 He sat so long in this attitude, that Robert turned round at last. (a) c950 John iii. 16 Suæ..lufade god ðone middangeard þætte sunu his ancende gesalde [etc.]. c1320 1523 God leeue vs here so ende, Þat we ben worþi to heuene wende. c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 32 So hadde I spoken with hem..That I was of hir felaweshipe ano n. 1411 III. 651/1 The same Loord the Roos schall so doon to hem, that they schall tellen hem wel payed. 1480 437 To so direct that your said Oratours haue all þat..shall accorde with right. a1592 R. Greene (1599) i. sig. A3 Now a dayes so yrksome Idels slights..haue witch'd each students mind, That death it is [etc.]. 1641 J. Jackson ii. 130 The example doth so suite the Text, that I could not pretermit it here. 1667 J. Milton ii. 719 So frownd the mighty Combatants, that Hell Grew darker. View more context for this quotation 1735 S. Johnson tr. J. Lobo 75 This Answer and the Present so provok'd Mahomet..that [etc.]. 1883 Nov. 905/2 To so cut down his power..that he would be inclined [etc.]. 1633 Bp. J. Hall i. 339 Yet so shall he be gracious to the penitently dejected, that he shall not beare with the obstinate sinner. 1842 T. B. Macaulay xviii There was no heart so bold, But sore it ached. 25. c1330 3458 (Kölbing) A dint he ȝaf him so hard, Þe launce ran þe brini þurch. a1350 in K. Böddeker (1878) 204 Þou art so god a mon, Þi loue yȝyrne also y con. c1440 II. 583 Caleis was so ferd of you, þey shitte neuer a gate. 1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie (1928) II. 262 Thay wer so nyss..Thay squeilit lyk ony gaitis. 1646 Sir T. Browne ii. vi A plant, so unlike a Rose, it hath been mistaken..for Amomum. View more context for this quotation 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 105 He..treads so light, he scarcely prints the Plains. View more context for this quotation 1742 E. Young 13 So man is made, nought ministers delight, But what his glowing passions can engage. 1819 Ld. Byron xviii. 776 Once so near me he alit I could have smote. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ I. i. xiii. 253 Hetty was blushing so, she didn't know whether she was happy or miserable. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 165 He bi halt on oðer þet he ne mei nanes weis Makien luðere iþonked se luueful & se rewful is hire heorte. c1340 R. Rolle 2317 Out of witte þan þai shuld men flay, Swa orrible and swa foul er þai. a1400 xliii. 104 His herte þoruȝ-out his syde He ȝiueþ vs, he is so fre! 14.. T. Hoccleve xvi. 4 I may nat deliure hem by no weye, So me werreyeth coynes scarsetee. c1500 (1895) vi. 28 Raymondin..herd ne saw nought, so sore was hys wit troubled. 1535 2 Sam. iii. 11 Then coulde he not answere him one worde agayne, he feared him so. 1626 Sir E. Cecil Let. Feb. in J. Glanville (1883) Postscr. p. xliii The shipp had sunke in the sea, she proved so leakie. 1681 J. Dryden 25 Friends he has few, so high the Madness grows. 1786 R. Burns (1968) I. 154 A runt was like a sow-tail Sae bow't that night. 1822 W. Scott I. x. 265 Habits..to young men are like threads of silk, so lightly are they worn, so soon broken. 1869 A. J. Evans xvii. 225 The azure mantle..seemed to melt in air, so dim were its graceful outlines. 26. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > [adverb] > on condition that (a) c1000 (Thorpe) 20 Nim nu lareow appolloni, swa hit þe ne mislicyge. c1386 G. Chaucer i. 423 He had y-swore to hire..That so she saved hym hys lyfe, He wolde haue take hir to hys wife. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) l. 5991 To-morne þe fleys sal be þe fra. so þou be-gyle vs na mare. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. xx. 245 All my couandys holden shall be, So I haue felyship me abowte. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. xxii Butter and swynes grece..are good, so they be nat salte. 1613 T. Jackson ii. 453 The proofe were good, so it could be proued. 1658 Sir T. Browne iii. 30 Ulysses..cared not how meanly he lived, so he might finde a noble Tomb after death. 1710 R. Steele No. 208. ⁋4 It is no Matter how dirty a Bag it is conveyed to him in,..so the Money is good. 1750 S. Johnson No. 81. ⁋2 Which duty ought to be most esteemed, we may continue to debate..; so all be diligently performed. 1812 H. F. Cary tr. Dante ix. 22 So but the suppliant at my feet implore. 1812 Ld. Byron i. xiii. 14 I'll swiftly go..Nor care what land thou bear'st me to, So not again to mine. c1000 Charter in Thorpe (1865) 202 He him þet land forbead, swa he æniges brucan wolde. 1872 Ld. Tennyson 19 But, so thou dread to swear, Pass not beneath this gateway. VI. Idiomatic uses with as. c1300 (Laud) (1868) 337 Þat hire haued in sorwe brouth, So as sho ne misdede nouth! 28. (a) c1407 J. Lydgate 943 The Ryvers..so myghty and so large To bere a gret ship or a barge. c1450 i. 6 How shulde I be so hardy to do as ye telle me. 1526 Prol. Who ys so blynde to axe why lyght shulde be shewed to them that walke in dercknes. c1535 i. sig. A.viv Peter was neuer so great a fole To leave his key with suche a lorell. 1579 S. Gosson Apol. Schoole of Abuse in f. 82 I am not so childishe to take euery bushe for a monster. a1639 T. Dekker et al. (1658) ii. i. 18 If you'll be so kinde to ka me one good turn, I'll be so courteous as to kob you another. 1709 J. Swift 5 He has been indeed so wise, to make no Objection against the Truth of my Predictions. 1767 J. Wilkes (1805) III. 223 Be so good to continue to favour me with your letters. 1803 M. Charlton (ed. 2) IV. 161 She enquired if Mrs. Aubrey had been so kind to procure the child a new wardrobe. 1709 J. Swift sig. A1v The river Thames frozen twice in one Year, so as Men to walk on it. 1790 R. Burns Tam o' Shanter 17 in (1968) II. 558 Hadst thou but been sae wise, As ta'en thy ain wife Kate's advice! 1797 in C. K. Paul (1876) I. 237 You might have been so good as told me a few more particulars. 29. 1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart I. xiii. 13 The quene..dyd gyue great Jewelles to eche of them,..so as they all helde them selfe ryght well content. 1609 in (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 82 I understood of the infection lately come to some houses there adjoining, so as I forbear to go thither. c1651 in J. Morris (1872) (modernized text) 1st Ser. i. vi. 304 This summer we also whited the church and choir,..so as our Monastery was made very handsome. 1751 R. Paltock II. xvii. 205 So as the great and small shall be under mutual Obligations to each other. 1817 H. T. Colebrooke Notes & Illustr. p. lxxvii Then you desire to complete your square so as it shall amount to one whole square. 1905 Apr. 541 So as he could go and see his sweetheart. (a) 1548 G. Wishart tr. Confescion Fayth Sweserlandes in (1844) 13 We attribute so free wyll to man as we,..wyllynge to do good, fele experience of euyll. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1595) sig. G3v The words..beeing so set, as one word cannot be lost. 1608 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Serres 702 The Emperour..so terrifies the Pope, as hee abandons his vassall Octauio. 1654 T. Burton (1828) I. 42 This sounded so plausibly in every man's ear, as it was soon embraced. 1738 June 327/2 They had Guards so posted, as they were not to be surprized. 1583 T. Stocker tr. i. 1 b The officers went so neere the consciences of men, as that they spared not to torment pore miserable soules. 1637 J. Milton 13 I doe not thinke my sister so to seeke, Or so unprincipl'd in vertues book..As that [etc.]. a1684 J. Evelyn anno 1675 (1955) IV. 58 Two distinct Keeles crampt together..so as a violent streame ran betweene. a1774 O. Goldsmith (1776) I. 55 When both flames have approached so near as that they join. 1817 H. T. Colebrooke tr. Bhāskara Āchārya in 258 Here the least square quantity must be so devised, as that the second may be an integer. the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > qualification > on condition that [conjunction] 1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay iv. i. 114 b To be preferred vnto the gouernment.., so as they had passed their time..without reprehension. 1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus iii. i. 64 Which was to him..honorable, so as there were a meane vsed. 1630 R. Norton tr. W. Camden ii. 20 Henry Percy offered..to free the Queene of Scots out of prison, so as Grange and Carre..would receiue her at the borders. 1807 E. S. Barrett I. 127 I care not how you come by them, so as they are ready to supply my wants. 1853 C. Dickens xxvi. 259 He could play 'em a tune on any sort of pot you please, so as it was iron or block tin. VII. In various phrases. so to say: see so to say at say v.1 and int. Phrases 3a(e).so to speak: see so to speak at speak v. 4a.a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23568 Mony þingis may we do Þat better were vndone þen so. 1525 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart II. 754 Kyng Henry was more gentyll than so; for he had some pytie on hym. 1595 W. Shakespeare iii. iii. 103 Lord Aubray Vere was done to death, And more than so, my father. 1677 W. Hughes ii. v. 96 'Tis reasonable to suppose, that the Sacrament may be celebrating in more places than so, at once. a1716 O. Blackall (1723) I. xxiii. 213 If it be not more than so, it will not be such an Obedience as God will accept. 32. a1400–50 1565 Sum with sensours & so with silueryn cheynes. a1400–50 2551 If þai were sary & so, na selly me thingke. a1616 [see sense 33a]. 1724 L. Welsted 123 Till, in time, the English we now speak is become as obsolete and unintelligible as that of Chaucer, and so on. 1837 P. Keith 258 An incipient stem,..which in the following year is augmented in height as before, and so on in succession as long as the plant grows. 1847 2 201/2 While the East London Water Company is supplying an impure water at 5l. 12s., and so on, per house. 1899 T. C. Allbutt et al. VIII. 488 There may be high fever,..nausea, vomitings, smart diarrhœa and so on. 33. or so. the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [phrase] > or the like or or whatever 1598 W. Shakespeare ii. i. 211 Ber. Is she wedded or no? Boy. To her will sir, or so . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) v. ii. 119 Girdle, Hangers or so [1604 and so]. 1663 S. Butler i. i. 5 He..therefore bore it not about, Unless on Holy-dayes, or so. 1707 E. Ward 44 Sometimes he pores upon a Pack of Cards, or so. 1794 A. Radcliffe III. vi. 153 I used to think nothing on earth could fluster them, unless, indeed, it was a ghost, or so. a1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan Ded. in (1833) XV. 102 And then you overstrain yourself, or so. 1842 Ld. Tennyson Day-dream in (new ed.) II. 157 My joints are something stiff or so. the world > relative properties > quantity > approximate quantity or amount > approximately (an amount) [phrase] a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. i. 47 For an eternall moment, or so . View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) iii. ii. 53 Some two thousand strong, or so . View more context for this quotation 1814 W. Scott Diary 17 Aug. in J. G. Lockhart (1837) III. vi. 207 A King's ship about eighteen guns or so. 1861 T. Hughes III. ii. 35 He returned in an hour or so. 1885 10 July 5/3 A Sunday or so ago. 34. the world > action or operation > manner of action > [phrase] > in this, some, any, etc., way > in some way c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 350 For that so or so or so (and in noon other wise) it is writun in storie or cronicle. 1570 B. Googe tr. T. Kirchmeyer i. f. 3v For no man dare demaunde of him, why dost thou so, or so. 1687 E. Settle 85 I'le die a thousand deaths before I'le do so or so. 1749 S. Richardson (1804) IV. 291 From her air and..her face, he sets her down in his mind as so or so. 1784 (Royal Soc.) 74 189 A clock, of such a construction, kept or altered its rate so or so. 1835 T. Mitchell in tr. Aristophanes 307 (note) Wine..is said..to bear or admit so or so many portions of water. the world > existence and causation > existence > non-existence > [phrase] > neither 1583 P. Stubbes sig. F1 They persuade the buier it is good, and that it is woorth the money, whereas indeed it is nothing so, nor so. 1584 R. Scot vi. i. 112 Making you beleeue a thing which is neither so nor so. 1610 A. Cooke 12 As though that Temple had had a spire steeple like ours; which is neither so, nor so. 1611 R. Cotgrave Rien rien, no no, neither so nor so. 1682 20 June 2/1 Earn... Most of 'em are said to have either a Competency, or another Trade... Jest. This is neither so nor so. VIII. With various adjectives and adverbs of quantity, number, etc. 35. so far in literal and transferred senses (see far adv. 6 and far-forth adv. 2):the world > space > distance > [adverb] > thus far the world > space > distance > [adverb] > to or at a definite distance a1300 2253 Now we haue vs sped sa ferr, Vr wil may he noght vs merr. 1390 J. Gower II. 33 Yit so fer cowthe I nevere finde Man that..Me cowthe teche such an art. 1535 Psalms cii. 12 Loke how wyde the east is from the west, so farre hath he set oure synnes from vs. 1611 Psalms xxii. 1 Why art thou so far from helping me? View more context for this quotation 1696 in A. Telfair Pref. sig. A2 Having once gone so far, they will be easily be induced to believe, that there's no Resurrection at all. 1754 D. Hume (1812) I. App. i. 198 He [the King] was even, so far, on a level with the people. a1797 H. Howard in (1872) 433/2 Every place given to an Englishman is so far a loss to the people. 1821 W. Scott III. ii. 37 Will you so far trust me? 1832 C. C. F. Greville 27 Mar. (1874) II. 273 I have no doubt that all the ultras will be deeply mortified..at the success so far of ‘the Waverers’. 1892 3 Sept. 288/1 Nothing has, so far, been allowed to transpire as to its name and contents. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 16386 Sacles es he sa feir se sum i can.] (a) 1485 (1814) II. 172 Þe Custumaris at þair comptis making..to be dischargit of safer as þai deliuer to þe said wardan & changeour. 1565 T. Stapleton tr. F. Staphylus 148 Some are.. courtly protestants, which admit Luther so farre as them list. 1723 R. Blackmore Pref. sig. A 8 v Some..only advanced so far as to excite Popular Jealousies. 1742 S. Johnson Deb. Senate Lilliput in Nov. 568 The Law..is however to be so far fixed, as that every Man may know his own Condition. 1779 No. 14 I had actually gone so far as to write three introductory sentences. 1801 Jan. 39 So far as I can now recollect. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ II. ii. xviii. 38 Who played the part of steward so far as it was not performed by old Mr. Donnithorne himself. 1879 W. E. Gladstone II. vi. 313 So far as we can gather, a sober estimate prevails. 1546 in J. H. Burton (1877) 1st Ser. I. 31 In safer as concernis the said Williamys awine part. 1581 Burne in (S.T.S.) 140 In safar as thay confes Christ to be the sone of the leuing God. 1672 (S.H.S.) 117 The complainer was no Magistrate in swa far as he had not taken the Declaration. 1780 No. 96 In so far as my improvement was concerned, they spared no expence. 1846 H. W. Torrens 11 The hieroglyphic inscriptions.., in so far as their characters have been decyphered. 1876 L. Stephen II. 418 Wesley..differs from Warburton and his like in so far as God is regarded as an active administrator. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) ii. 60 Sith that it is soo ferre come that ye wyll not here vs, we shall kepe our peas. 1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus (1877) ii. 259 One of the accusers..had gone so ferre, that he spake moche what these wordes folowing. 1711 J. Addison No. 5. ¶3 This strange Dialogue awakened my Curiosity so far that I immediately bought the Opera. 1845 H. J. Stephen II. 577 It is also so far a source of strength..that it gives [etc.]. the world > relative properties > relationship > difference > [phrase] > so far from (a) 1547 Certain Serm. or Homilies in J. Griffiths (1859) i. 112 David was so far from rejoicing at these news, that..forthwith he rent his clothes. 1677 G. Miege ii. sig. R 2/1 I am so far from loving her, that I hate her. 1736 R. Ainsworth I. at So far from They were so far from selling, that they bought. 1868 J. H. Blunt I. 479 So far was it from doing so that it caused a rapid under-current of reaction. the mind > emotion > pleasure > contentment or satisfaction > expressing content or satisfaction [phrase] > expression of satisfaction up to a point 1721 J. Kelly 300 So far, so good. So much is done to good purpose. 1753 S. Richardson V. x. 56 ‘So far, so good,’ said aunt Eleanor. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage II. vi. i. 428 So far, so good! said the worshipful commissioner; we have only to proceed in our examination. a1843 R. Southey (1847) VII. 457 So far so good, but this once influential writer makes an erroneous conclusion. 1876 J. Ruskin VI. lxi. 11 So far, so good, Nature and facts are beginning to assert themselves. the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > courteous formulae [phrase] > expressions of leave-taking the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > courtesy > courteous act or expression > [noun] > parting salutation > for temporary absence 1865 F. H. Nixon 8 Will wish you ‘ta ta’—gentle reader—‘So long!’ a1868 W. Whitman 398 I whisper So long! And take the young woman's hand..for the last time. 1889 22 June 397 ‘When shall we see you again? Not for another six months I s'pose. So long’. 1894 A. Robertson 199 ‘So long then; wish you luck’. 37. so manythe world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > abundant, numerous attributive.c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius xxxiii. §2 Þonne hi..heora God on swa monige dælas todælað, þonne [etc.]. c1230 8 [It] deð hire in to drechunge,..& to se monie earmden. 13.. St. Augustin 1731 in Horstmann (1878) 91 Þer weore laft so mani Signes of wax,..Þat seint Austines chapel [etc.]. 1508 W. Dunbar Ballade Barnard Stewart in (1998) I. 179 Thow suld be hye renownit, That did so mony victoryse opteyn. 1574 St. Avstens Manuell in sig. Sviij How shall it be capable of so many and so great ioyes? 1639 R. Burton Will in (1990) 97 Because there be so many Casualties to wch our life is subiect. a1648 Ld. Herbert (1649) 229 Peradventure lying among so many his Writings and old Letters. 1780 No. 104 It is..a melancholy circumstance..to find so many noble palaces deserted by their illustrious owners. 1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in 102 Here will I take my rest After so many hours of toil and quest. 1878 A. C. Swinburne xv Hast thou seen time, who hast seen so many things? absolute.c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory xxviii. 191 Buton he..sua monige gecierre sua he mæsð mæge.c1480 (a1400) St. Paul 162 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) I. 33 Þe folk..þat saw..he gerte but resone sa mony sla, Raisit in hym sedicione.a1525 (c1448) R. Holland Bk. Howlat l. 237 in W. A. Craigie (1925) II. 102 Confess cleir can I nocht..The maner nor ye multitud so mony yair was.1573 T. Tusser (new ed.) f. 1v Loytrers I kept so meany, both Philip hob & Cheany.1719 D. Defoe 59 We are not so many of us, here is room enough for us all.1812 G. Crabbe ii. 30 Believe it..glorious, to prevail, And stand in safety where so many fail.the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > as many c950 Prol. Matt. 1 Swæ monig aron bissena..swa monige boec. 1548 f. xijv Verifiynge the olde Prouerbe, so many heades, so many wittes. a1634 W. Austin (1635) 149 So many men, so many minds (saies the proverb): but here they were of one accord. 1718 J. Ozell tr. J. Pitton de Tournefort II. 181 When a Bassa is in march, so many robbers taken, so many heads off in an instant. 1735 G. Berkeley §44 As many men, so many minds. 1340–70 441 Þat by strength of her strife þei straught to foote All so many as his menne mighten areche. c1400 ccxxvii. 299 Ȝet were þey threfold so meny of hem as of Englisshe men. 1490 in (1839) I. 131/2 Samony of þe..cuschingis weschale & seruiotis as aucht to be deliuerit. c1550 (1979) xix. 128 Sa mony of ȝou, that ar defensabil men sal pas in propir person in battel. 1597 King James VI in (1872) 422/2 Sa mony as are yet in hands sal be distributit. 1621 R. Montagu 426 In this passage there are so many particulars obseruable concerning tithing, as there bee words in the same. 1685 in W. Mure (1854) I. 150 A man..gives notice..by so many windings of his horn as there are horse~men coming. 1735 S. Johnson tr. J. Lobo 98 Every Man being allowed so many Wives as he hath hundreds of Cows. 1825 W. Scott Talisman xv, in IV. 356 That I brought up unexpectedly so many Arabs as rendered the scheme abortive. the world > relative properties > number > plurality > great number, numerousness > [adjective] > as many (a) 1563–4 I. 263 Thai and samony of thair freindis being present. 1569 R. Grafton II. 43 Hauing with him onely ten horsemen, with so many Archers on horsebacke. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher v. iii. 74 We are but men; and what so many may doe,..we haue done. View more context for this quotation 1678 N. Wanley v. i. §97. 468/1 In twenty eight Battels he became Master of so many Kingdoms. the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > [noun] > particular qualities > unspecified or indeterminate 1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen 3 That thay..suld haiff sa mony thousand zeris of pardone. 1611 R. Cotgrave at Chete The ship is so many foot deepe in hold. 1631 W. Gouge i. §29. 44 Papists..going barefoot so many miles. 1780 No. 87 Creeping on his knees up the steps of St. Peter's so many times a day. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > a great quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > so great a quantity or amount c888 Ælfred tr. Boethius i Þa hit ða gelomp þæt se arwyrða wæs on swa micelre nearanesse. 971 25 Nu he swa mycel for ure lufan geþrowode. c1175 31 Ne mahtic ȝelden swa muchel swa ic habbe idon to herme. a1200 Moral Ode 357 in He haueð sswo muchel þat he ne bit no more. c1340 R. Rolle 6013 Swa mykel folk com never togyder..sythen þe werld bygan. 14.. xxvi. 217 Hym was nat lefte so mekyll a clothe Hys naked body for to hele. 1503 in D. Littlejohn (1904) I. 48 The said corn was samekle of waile in tyme of the spoliacioun therof. 1581 J. Hamilton Epist. f. 2 Not samekle for the present calameteis.., as for [etc.]. 1609 J. Skene tr. i. f. 39v Ilke ane of them sall haue sameikill, as is within his awin lordship and dominion. 1820 W. Scott I. Introd. Ep. 14 Few folk ken'd sae mickle about the Abbey. 39. so much (See also forsomuch adv., insomuch adv.) the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > a great quantity, amount, or degree [phrase] > so great a quantity or amount a1225 1345 Godes sune, þet se muche godlec cudde us alle on eorðe. c1380 J. Wyclif III. 431 Siche signes drawen fro love of Crist þo þat setten so meche trist in hem. a1400 (W.) 1032 Alle the innes of the toun Haddyn litel foisoun,..So muche people with hire was. c1400 N. Love tr. Bonaventura (1908) 49 Thowh there was so moche nede, I fynde no mynde of furres or pilches. a1529 J. Skelton Speke Parrot in (1843) II. 22 So myche newe makyng,..So myche translacion in to Englyshe confused. 1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher i. i. 167 This last costly Treaty.., That swallowed so much treasure. View more context for this quotation 1651 J. Howell 31 Seeing the English buy so much Currans. 1780 No. 110 A performance, the reception of which was liable to so much uncertainty. 1812 G. Crabbe v. 85 That so much beauty..Rais'd strong emotions in the Poet's mind. 1884 W. S. B. McLaren (ed. 2) 28 Some soda is often put into..potash soaps just because it will hold so much water. the mind > possession > [phrase] > possessing so much (of a quality) 1517 S. Hawes (1928) iii. 18 The fayre toure so moche of rychesse Was all about sexangled. 1549–62 T. Sternhold & J. Hopkins lxxxvi. 10 For why? thou art so much of might. the world > relative properties > quantity > [adjective] > just as much 1557 in R. G. Marsden (1897) II. 72 I..do owe unto John Levytt..for so moche redy money of him resayved..the some of fyfty pownds. 1696 A. Telfair 3 He took up the Threshold, found the Tooth, and threw it into the Fire, where it burnt like so much Tallow. 1857 J. Ruskin ii. 126 Whenever you buy a copy, you buy so much misunderstanding of the original. 1885 E. Lynn Linton I. 219 Even my languages..were merely so much literary furniture. the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [adverb] > to this or that extent a1225 413 And swa muche þe swiðere þet he bihet to medin ham mid swiðe heh mede. c1425 (1896) 6 He..soiourned thar a whill; & so mych the blethelier, for þer com oft shippes theder. 1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane f. ccxviv He was brent in a small fire, that hys torment might be so mutch the greaeer. 1578 J. Lyly f. 77v By how much the more thou excellest others in honors, by so muche the more thou oughtest to exceede them in honestie. 1611 Mark vii. 36 The more hee charged them, so much the more a great deale they published it. 1691 T. Hale 95 It is so much the worse, by how much it deviates from Equality. 1741 R. Challoner Pref. sig. A2 Which appeared.., by so much the more wanting, by how much the less [etc.]. 1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre (1799) I. 574 Others frequently concur to this end so much the better, the more that they seem to deviate from it. 1908 R. Bagot vii. 77 If the lady remained at Syracuse for a day or two, so much the better. the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > [adverb] > to such an extent a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Eccles. ii. 13 And Y siȝ, that wisdom ȝede so mych bifor foli, as miche as liȝt is dyuerse fro derknessis. ?1520 J. Rastell sig. Biiij I maruell gretly That eer ye wolde vse the company So myche of suche a knaue. 1582 W. Allen sig. e7 Rage man or deuil neuer so much. 1692 E. Walker in Epictetus (1737) To Mr. E. W. on his Transl. Nor is your Author had in less esteem Than that great Man so much admir'd by him. 1743 S. Johnson Deb. Senate Lilliput in Apr. 184 In so much a better Manner, than I thought myself able to do. 1768 A. Tucker I. i. 138 How much we desire an absent positive good so much we are in pain for it. 1831 W. Scott Castle Dangerous ii, in 4th Ser. III. 246 But wherefore..so much displeased but now at my young friend Charles? 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ III. v. xxxvi. 15 Villages, and market-towns—all so much alike to her indifferent eyes. the world > relative properties > quantity > [noun] > a definite or specified quantity or amount > an equal amount c1400 3440 Thei prayed him alle that viage to take, To do so moche for her sake. c1400 civ. 105 If ȝe so miche..haue y-wonne, an C. tymes so miche..ȝe hauen loste. 1589 Pappe w. Hatchet in (1902) III. 407 This is a good settled speech, a Diuine might haue seemd to haue said so much. ?1637 T. Hobbes tr. Aristotle i. vii. 21 More, is so much, and somewhat besides. a1648 Ld. Herbert (1976) 14 I neuer sawe him angry.., and haue heard soe much of him for many yeares before. 1780 No. 94 I cannot say so much for his acquaintance C. D. 1810 G. Crabbe ii. 19 (note) I would answer, that I understand so much. 1847 W. M. Thackeray (1848) xxxi. 274 He kissed her hand. Except when she was married, he had not done so much for years before. society > trade and finance > money > sum of money > [noun] c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Deeds v. 8 Womman, seye to me, if ȝe solden the feeld for so moche? And she seide, Ȝhe, so moche. 1583 P. Stubbes sig. D6v That such a thing cost them so much, & so much, and it is woorth this much, and that much. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. T. Boccalini (1674) 269 This..behaviour..is as so much of the best Sugar for you Italians, and as so much of the bitterest Poyson for the Spanish Nation. 1696 in W. Mure (1854) I. 171 They have..soe much a day for their pocket money. 1737 Sept. 552/1 They have nothing to do but to work them off as fast as They can, at so much a thousand. 1844 E. B. Barrett II. 175 Each soul is worth so much on 'Change. 1884 W. C. Smith 88 Life is lost, By so much, when you lose a perfect sense. 1598 W. Shakespeare i. i. 233 So much for the time When. View more context for this quotation 1662 E. Stillingfleet iii. ii. §10 And so much for this second Hypothesis. 1707 J. Stevens tr. F. de Quevedo (1709) 350 So much for that; do you take me Sir. 1794 W. Scott 5 Sept. (1932) I. 35 So much for public news. 1840 364 So much for the love of slaughter! 1891 T. Hardy I. ii. 25 So much for Norman blood unaided by Victorian lucre. the world > relative properties > quantity > [noun] > such an amount, quantity, etc. 1606 G. W. tr. Justinus xxv. 93 There was so much of merit in him. 1711 J. Addison No. 120. ¶1 Sir Roger is very often merry with me, upon my passing so much of my Time among his Poultry. 1738 J. Swift 131 (Footman fills him a Bumper.)..Why do you fill so much? 1817 P. B. Shelley Mont Blanc iii, in 181 So much of life and joy is lost. 1850 Ld. Tennyson lxxi. 100 So many worlds, so much to do, So little done. View more context for this quotation 40. so much as, that etc.adjective.c1275 Laȝamon 25351 Folk þar com wel sone.., so moche so þar neuere hear [= ere] no man ne gadere[de]. a1400–50 1249 The multitude was so much as menys vs þe writtez. 1569 R. Grafton II. 18 Somuch ground as might receyue..his poore Carkas. 1600 W. Shakespeare ii. iii. 242 Bene. You take pleasure then in the message. Beat. Yea iust so much as you may take vppon a kniues point. View more context for this quotation 1668 Bp. J. Wilkins 339 The other Affix..is not of so much use or necessity as the rest. 1821 W. Scott III. xiv. 283 Take so much leisure as to peruse this letter. 1865 J. Ruskin ii. 169 Of half so much importance as [etc.]. noun.a1400–50 3306 I..Has noȝt o maistri so meche as miȝt of my-selfe.c1420 (Camden) l He wold gif hom..so muche..As any lord wold.a1533 Ld. Berners tr. (?1560) lxxv. sig. Svv Often times it fortuned that a man can not attayne to do so muche as he would do.1559 T. Phaer (new ed.) 9 That ye will do so muche as..to present A. B. to the same.1613 S. Purchas 18 Others account so much to Paradise as those foure Riuers doe water.1678 S. Butler iii. ii. 163 'Tis most true None bring him in so much as you.1875 M. Pattison 522 Casaubon knew of his own age so much as the average of educated men know.1886 C. E. Pascoe (ed. 3) i. 24 The poorest memory..will retain so much as that.adverb.c1425 (1896) 16 He hatede nothynge so mych as that me shold spek of his stalwardnes.c1449 R. Pecock (1860) 13 A man schulde loue..his neiȝbore as him silf, thouȝ not so miche as him silf.1530 J. Palsgrave 567/1 I gave hym counsayle to the contrarye so moche as lay in me.1595 in (1908) 5 336 All the way he prayed,..so much as he might.1634 T. Hawkins tr. G. B. Manzini 13 To these turmoyles, so much weighty as they were new, crosse omens of predictions were added.1712 R. Steele No. 466. ⁋3 With a Design to please no one so much as her Father.1780 No. 79 Not so much by the class of people..as by the kind of sentiments.1831 W. Scott Count Robert vii, in 4th Ser. II. 166 Her attendant..kept herself modestly in the background, so much so as hardly to be distinguished.a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 16960 He þat neuer synne dud: ne so muche as hit þouȝt. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Thales in 197 Not so muche as putting pen to paper. a1648 Ld. Herbert (1976) 62 Without giuing mee soe much as the least warning. 1697 W. Dampier vi. 144 There was not so much as a Meal of Victuals left for them. 1713 R. Steele No. 40 I do not remember to have seen any small Birds, nor so much as a Crow or Magpye. 1782 F. Burney V. ix. ii. 25 I should not expect any lady would so much as look at him. 1854 M. Oliphant II. 51 The priest's benedicite was not accompanied by so much as a glance. 1887 A. Birrell 2nd Ser. 151 [He] never so much as attained to a seat in the Cabinet. c1412 T. Hoccleve 1794 Lordes han for to done So mych for hem-self, þat my mateere Out of hir mynde slippith away soone. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) iv. 119 Soo moche abode the foure sones of Aymon; that the nyghte came. 1595 in (1908) 5 290 He..was so muche greeved that..he went presently to Confession. c1670 A. Wood (1891) I. 45 This yeare he had the small pox so much that he was for a time blinded with them. 1766 O. Goldsmith I. iii. 29 My attention was so much taken up..that I scarce looked forward. 1811 Ld. Byron in R. C. Dallas (1825) II. 26 I feel myself so much a citizen of the world, that [etc.]. 1849 W. M. Thackeray (1850) I. xvii. 151 So much so, that..she..shook hands with him. 1607 T. Middleton i. sig. A3 I had so much wit to keepe my thoughts Vp in their built houses. 1874 A. C. Swinburne ii. ix Though I have not so much grace To bind again this people fast to God. Draft additions December 2005 slang (chiefly U.S.). As an intensifier, forming nonstandard grammatical constructions. Cf. sense 14a. 1923 R. Firbank i. 16 What can you see in her..? She's so housemaid. 1979 ‘W. Allen’ & M. Brickman Manhattan in (1982) 194 Yale: He's a big Bergman fan, you know. Mary: Oh, please, you know. God, you're so the opposite! I mean, you write that absolutely fabulous television show. 1988 D. Waters (film script) (O.E.D. Archive) 14 Grow up, Heather. Bulimia's so '86. 2001 7 Apr. m2/3 Got ya, sucker! You are so dead! 2001 28 Apr. 81/2 Don't be expecting it to be cosy... The kid gloves are so off. 2004 14 July i. 27 (headline) Falling out of fashion: why African models are so last year. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > [adverb] > conclusively, decisively 1994 A. Heckerling (film script, first shooting draft) (O.E.D. Archive) Buff Revised Pages 14 Oh thank you, Josh, I so need lessons from you on how to be cool. 1996 J. Whedon in (2000) 1st Season I. 79 We so don't have time. 2000 Aug. 110/1 It's the sort of slangy, informal use of so you might hear a teen of the MTV set employ, as in: ‘Omigod, I would so marry Carson Daly if he asked me’. 2004 (National ed.) 26 Dec. v. 8/3 I am so getting the milkshake. 1997 25 Aug. 152/3 Napoleons are so not fun to eat. 1999 S. Rushdie (2000) xvi. 501 We guess communism just got buried in the rubble there somewhere. And those Ceauşescus? So not missed. 2005 J. M. Czech xi. 62 You've seen the carousel and it's so not cool to be seen here if you're over nine years old. Draft additions December 20221999 (transcript of TV programme) (Nexis) 4 Aug. Can we now create a machine as fast and as powerful as our own brain and if so, would it be alive? 1st scientist: So I believe that if you ever got a machine that you could talk with and have a conversation with and ask it how it felt, I think it would probably have something that I would call consciousness. 2014 J. Reynolds et al. (transcribed from TV programme) 8th Ser. Episode 6 [Sheldon] What do you want? [Raj] So, I did a little research on what the conditions are like in the mines [etc.]. 2021 (Nexis) 23 June Give us a sense of what kind of dynamics you're seeing across your businesses so far this spring. [Interviewee] So our research team is one of the best in the business, if not the best [etc.]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online December 2022). > as lemmasS.O. 1844 T. E. May xii. 215 A division is effected in the lords by the not-contents remaining within the bar, and the contents going below the bar. [Note] Lords' S.O. No. 22. 1929 G. F. M. Campion iv. 136 S.O. No. 11 of 1888 (the so-called ‘Ten Minutes Rule’). 1976 J. Morgan in R. Crossman II. 75 It was only when the S.O. was redrafted in 1967 that M.P.s could make full use of its possibilities. <  adv.conj.c825as lemmas |
