Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Even
E′ven
,Adj.
1.
Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action;
as,
even
ground; an even
speed; an even
course of conduct.2.
Equable; not easily ruffled or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed;
as, an
. even
temper3.
Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit.
And shall lay thee
even
with the ground. Luke xix. 44.
4.
Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both sides; owing nothing on either side; – said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted;
as, our accounts are
even
; an even
bargain.To make the
even
truth in pleasure flow. Shakespeare
5.
Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure.
“I know my life so even.” Shak.
6.
Associate; fellow; of the same condition.
[Obs.]
“His even servant.” Wyclif (Matt. xviii. 29).
7.
Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; – said of numbers;
as, 4 and 10 are
. even
numbersWhether the number of the stars is
even
or odd. Jer. Taylor.
On even ground
, with equal advantage.
– On even keel
(Naut.)
, in a level or horizontal position.
E′ven
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Evened
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Evening
] 1.
To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth.
His temple Xerxes
evened
with the soil. Sir. W. Raleigh.
It will
even
all inequalities Evelyn.
2.
To equal.
[Obs.]
“To even him in valor.” Fuller.
3.
To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits; to make equal;
as, to
. even
the scoreShak.
4.
To set right; to complete.
5.
To act up to; to keep pace with.
Shak.
E′ven
,Verb.
I.
To be equal.
[Obs.]
R. Carew.
1.
In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well.
“Is it even so?” Shak.
Even
so did these Gauls possess the coast. Spenser.
2.
Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite.
Thou wast a soldier
Even
to Cato's wish. Shakespeare
Without . . . making us
even
sensible of the change. Swift.
3.
As might not be expected; – serving to introduce what is unexpected or less expected.
I have made several discoveries, which appear new,
even
to those who are versed in critical learning. Addison.
4.
At the very time; in the very case.
I knew they were bad enough to please,
even
when I wrote them. Dryden.
☞ Even is sometimes used to emphasize a word or phrase. “I have debated even in my soul.”
Shak.
By these presence,
even
the presence of Lord Mortimer. Shakespeare