• As

    Pronunciation

    • stressed IPA: /æz/
    • Rhymes: -æz
    • unstressed IPA: /É™z/

    Origin 1

    Reduced form of also, from Old English eallswā ("just so"). Cognate with West Frisian as ("as"), Low German as ("as"), Dutch als ("as"), German als ("as"). More at also.

    Full definition of as

    Adverb

    as

    1. To such an extent or degree.
      You’re not as tall as I am.   It's not as well made, but it's twice as expensive.
      • 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive.
    2. In the manner or role specified.
      The kidnappers released him as agreed.   The parties were seen as agreeing on a range of issues.   He was never seen as the boss, but rather as a friend.
      • 2013, Catherine Clabby, Focus on Everything, Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus....A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale.
    3. (dated) For example.
      • 1913, "Aboriginal", in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary:First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America.

    Conjunction

    1. In the same way that; according to what.As you wish, my lord!as in . . .
    2. At the same instant that; when.As I came in, she flew.
    3. At the same time that; while.He sleeps as the rain falls.
    4. Varying through time in the same proportion that.As my fear grew, so did my legs become heavy.
    5. Considering that, because, since.As it’s too late, I quit.
    6. Introducing a basis of comparison, after as, so, or a comparison of equality.She's twice as strong as an ox.It's not so complicated as I expected.They're big as houses.
    7. (dated) Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive); ‘as though’, ‘as if’. to 19th century
      • 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Acts II:And sodenly there cam a sounde from heven as it had bene the commynge off a myghty wynde ...
      • c. 1616, William Shakespeare, King Henry VI part 2, First Folio 1623, I.1:Oft haue I seene the haughty Cardinall,
        More like a Souldier then a man o'th' Church,
        As stout and proud as he were Lord of all ...
    8. Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state with the verb elided; as if, as though.
      • DrydenI start as from some dreadful dream.
      • 1990, Andrew Fetler, The third count, I feel securely fixed on the careering chair, and with the momentum gained I steer myself as on skis to the guard and come to a stop with a happy little flourish.
      • 1992, Katherine Weissman, The Divorce Gang, They think they are romantic, tragic figures, exiled as on Elba. They picture themselves as enlightened barons bringing civilization, opportunity, and kindness to the brown-skinned.
      • 2011, January 30, Kyle Wagner, E-readers lighten a traveler's load But choosing the right unit means weighing features, cost, ease of use, Newspapers and magazines would load their graphics, and you could doodle as on the Sony Reader Daily Edition.
    9. (now dialectal) Functioning as a relative conjunction; that. from 14th c.
      • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, II.5.1.v:the temper is to be altered and amended, with such things as fortify and strengthen the heart and brain ....

    Preposition

    1. Introducing a basis of comparison, with an object in the objective case.
      You are not as tall as me.
      • 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry.
    2. In the role of.
      What is your opinion as a parent?
      • 2000, Tom Pendergast, ‎Sara Pendergast, St. James encyclopedia of popular culture (volume 2, page 223)Directed by Howard Hawks, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starred Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei and Jane Russell as Dorothy.

    Origin 2

    Borrowing from la as.

    Noun

    as

    (plural asses)
    1. (unit of weight) A libra.
    2. Any of several coins of Rome, coined in bronze or later copper; or the equivalent value.

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