Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Both
Both
(bōth)
, Adj.
or pron.
[OE.
bothe
, baþe
, fr. Icel. bāðir
; akin to Dan. baade
, Sw. båda
, Goth. bajōþs
, OHG. beidē
, bēdē
, G. & D. beide
, also AS. begen
, bā
, bū
, Goth. bai
, and Gr. ἄμφω
, L. ambo
, Lith. abà
, OSlav. oba
, Skr. ubha
. √310. Cf. Amb-
.] The one and the other; the two; the pair, without exception of either.
☞ It is generally used adjectively with nouns; as, both horses ran away; but with pronouns, and often with nous, it is used substantively, and followed by of.
It frequently stands as a pronoun.
She alone is heir to
both
of us. Shakespeare
Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and
both
of them made a covenant. Gen. xxi. 27.
He will not bear the loss of his rank, because he can bear the loss of his estate; but he will bear
both
, because he is prepared for both
. Bolingbroke.
It is often used in apposition with nouns or pronouns.
Thy weal and woe are
both
of them extremes. Shakespeare
This said, they
both
betook them several ways. Milton.
Both now always precedes any other attributive words; as, both their armies; both our eyes.
Both of is used before pronouns in the objective case; as, both of us, them, whom, etc.; but before substantives its used is colloquial, both (without of) being the preferred form; as, both the brothers.
Both
,c
onj.
As well; not only; equally.
Both precedes the first of two coördinate words or phrases, and is followed by and before the other, both . . . and . . . ; as well the one as the other; not only this, but also that; equally the former and the latter. It is also sometimes followed by more than two coördinate words, connected by and expressed or understood.
To judge
both
quick and dead. Milton.
A masterpiece
both
for argument and style. Goldsmith.
To whom
bothe
heven and erthe and see is sene. Chaucer.
Both
mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound. Goldsmith.
He prayeth well who loveth well
Both
man and bird and beast. Coleridge.
Webster 1828 Edition
Both
BOTH
,Adj.
This word is often placed before the nouns with which it is connected.
He understands how to manage both public and private concerns.
It is often used as a substitute for nouns.
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. Gen.21.
Both often represents two members of a sentence.
He will not bear the loss of his rank, because he can bear the loss of his estate; but he will bear both, because he is prepared for both.
Both often pertains to adjectives or attributes,and in this case generally precedes them in construction; as, he endeavored to render commerce both disadvantageous and infamous.