Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Some
Some
(sŭm)
, Adj.
1.
Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number which is not stated; – used to express an indefinite quantity or number;
as,
. Used also pronominally; some
wine; some
water; some
personsas, I have
. some
Some
theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society. Blackstone.
2.
A certain; one; – indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically;
“Some brighter clime.” as,
. some
man, that is, some one manMrs. Barbauld.
Some
man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent. Chaucer.
Most gentlemen of property, at
some
period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament. Blackstone.
3.
Not much; a little; moderate;
as, the censure was to
. some
extent just4.
About; near; more or less; – used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance;
as, a village of
. some
eighty houses; some
two or three persons; some
hour henceShak.
The number slain on the rebel’s part were
some
two thousand. Bacon.
5.
Considerable in number or quantity.
“Bore us some leagues to sea.” Shak.
On its outer point,
The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.
some
miles away.The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.
Longfellow.
6.
Certain; those of one part or portion; – in distinction from
other
or others
; as,
. some
men believe one thing, and others
anotherSome
[seeds] fell among thorns; . . . but other
fell into good ground. Matt. xiii. 7, 8.
7.
A part; a portion; – used pronominally, and followed sometimes by of;
as,
. some
of our provisionsYour edicts
But most your life and blest example wins.
some
reclaim from sins,But most your life and blest example wins.
Dryden.
☞ The illiterate in the United States and Scotland often use some as an adverb, instead of somewhat, or an equivalent expression; as, I am some tired; he is some better; it rains some, etc.
Some . . . some
, one part . . . another part; these . . . those; – used distributively.
Some
to the shores do fly,Some
to the woods, or whither fear advised. Daniel.
☞ Formerly used also of single persons or things: this one . . . that one; one . . . another.
Some
in his bed, some
in the deep sea. Chaucer.
Webster 1828 Edition
Some
SOME
,Adj.
1.
Noting a certain quantity of a thing, but indeterminate; a portion greater or less. Give me some bread; drink some wine; bring some water.2.
Noting a number of persons or things, greater or less, but indeterminate. Some theoretical writes allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society.3.
Noting a person or thing, but not known, or not specific and definite. Some person, I know not who, gave me the information. Enter the city, and some man will direct you to the house. Most gentlemen of property, as some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their country in parliament.4.
It sometimes precedes a word of number or quantity, with the sense of about or near, noting want of certainty as to the specific number of amount, but something near it; as a village or some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some seventy miles distant; an object at some good distance.5.
Some is often opposed to others. Some men believe one thing, and others another.6.
Some is often used without a noun, and then like other adjectives, is a substitute for a noun. We consumed some of our provisions, and the rest was given to the poor. Some to the shores do fly, some to the woods. Your edicts some reclaim for sins, but most your life and blest example wins.7.
Some is used as a termination of certain adjectives, as in handsome, mettlesome, blithesome, fullsome, lonesome, gladsome, gamesome. In these words, some has primarily the sense of little, or a certain degree; a little blithe or glad. But in usage, it rather indicates a considerable degree of the thing or quantity; as mettlesome, full of mettle or spirit; gladsome, very glad or joyous.