ever -
adv. 1 at all times; always (
ever hopeful;
ever after).
2 at any time (have you
ever been to Paris?; nothing
ever happens; as good as
ever).
3 as an emphatic word: a in any way; at all (
how ever did you do it?;
when will they
ever learn?). b (prec. by as) in any manner possible (be as quick as
ever you
can).
4 (in comb.) constantly (
ever-present;
ever-recurring).
5 (foll. by so, such) Brit. colloq. very; very much (is
ever so easy; was
ever such a nice man; thanks
ever so).
6 (foll. by compar.) constantly, increasingly (grew
ever larger).
did you ever? colloq. did you ever hear or see the like? ever since throughout the period since. for ever 1 for all future time.
2 colloq. for a long time (cf. FOREVER). [OE ófre]
