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e·ven [ v'n ] CORE MEANING: used for emphasis to indicate something surprising, unlikely, or extreme
 Even I know how to repair a flat! |
adverb |
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1. so much as: used after a negative for emphasis to indicate something unexpected and usually annoying or disappointing
 She couldn't even remember my name.
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2. to greater extent: used for emphasis in comparisons to indicate the degree to which something exists
 His writing is even messier than hers, and hers is barely legible.
 I never liked him much, but after today I like him even less.
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3. or more exactly: used to indicate that the description that follows applies in addition to and more strongly or precisely than the preceding one
 She is careful with her money, even miserly.
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4. to unexpected extent: used to emphasize that something is surprisingly true
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archaic
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 I will follow thee even unto the ends of the earth.
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| [ Old English efne< Germanic] |
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even so regardless of anything else
 It sounds unlikely; even so, it could be true.
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