Word Direct Answers

What does "never" mean?

Never: In no degree; not in the least; not. Whosoever has a friend to guide him, may carry his eyes in another man's head, and yet see never the worse. South. And he answered him to never a word. Matt. xxvii.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Note: Never is much used in composition with present participles to form adjectives, as in never-ceasing, never-dying, never-ending, never-fading, never-failing, etc., retaining its usual signification. Never a deal, not a bit. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- Never so, as never before; more than at any other time, or in any other circumstances; especially; particularly; -- now often expressed or replaced by ever so. Ask me never so much dower and gift. Gen. xxxiv.
  2. 3.A fear of battery, ... though never so well grounded, is no duress. Blackstone.

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