As (ăz), adv. & conj. [OE. as,
als, alse, also, al swa, AS. eal
swā, lit. all so; hence, quite so, quite as: cf. G. als
as, than, also so, then. See Also.] 1.
Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like;
similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in
proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no
less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will
reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.
His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his
soul, to emancipate his brethren.
Macaulay.
☞ As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or
correlative words such, same, so, or as, in
expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things
as you please, and so long as you please, or as
long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is
as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly
as possible. "Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same
colors as we do." Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of
a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it;
as with the people, so with the priest.
2. In the idea, character, or condition of, --
limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered
as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.
The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man
merely as a king.
Dewey.
3. While; during or at the same time that; when;
as, he trembled as he spoke.
As I return I will fetch off these justices.
Shak.
4. Because; since; it being the case
that.
As the population of Scotland had been generally
trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared.
Sir W. Scott.
[See Synonym under Because.]
5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching
though in meaning).
We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest,
transient as it may be, which this work has excited.
Macaulay.
6. That, introducing or expressing a result or
consequence, after the correlatives so and such.
[Obs.]
I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall
never find thee.
Rowe.
So as, so that. [Obs.]
The relations are so uncertain as they require
a great deal of examination.
Bacon.
7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]
He lies, as he his bliss did know.
Waller.
8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used
to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
9. Than. [Obs. & R.]
The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them
as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.
Fuller.
10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] "As
have," i. e., may he have. Chaucer.
As . . as. See So . . as, under
So. -- As far as, to the extent or
degree. "As far as can be ascertained." Macaulay. --
As far forth as, as far as. [Obs.]
Chaucer. -- As for, or As to,
in regard to; with respect to. -- As good as,
not less than; not falling short of. -- As good as one's
word, faithful to a promise. -- As if,
or As though, of the same kind, or in the same
condition or manner, that it would be if. -- As it
were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize
for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate
or incongruous; in a manner. -- As now, just
now. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As swythe, as
quickly as possible. [Obs.] Chaucer. -- As
well, also; too; besides. Addison. -- As
well as, equally with, no less than. "I have
understanding as well as you." Job xii. 3. -- As
yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still;
now.