E"ven, a. [AS. efen. efn;
akin to OS. eban, D. even, OHG. eban, G.
efen, Icel. jafn, Dan. jevn, Sw.
jämn, Goth. ibns. Cf. Anent, Ebb.]
1. Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not
rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of
action; as, even ground; an even speed; an even
course of conduct.
2. Equable; not easily ruffed or disturbed;
calm; uniformly self-possessed; as, an even temper.
3. Parallel; on a level; reaching the same
limit.
And shall lay thee even with the
ground.
Luke xix. 44.
4. Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable;
impartial; just to both side; owing nothing on either side; -- said
of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as, our accounts are
even; an even bargain.
To make the even truth in pleasure
flow.
Shak.
5. Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish;
pure. "I know my life so even." Shak.
6. Associate; fellow; of the same
condition. [Obs.] "His even servant." Wyclif (Matt.
xviii. 29).
7. Not odd; capable of division by two
without a remainder; -- said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even
numbers.
Whether the number of the stars is even or
odd.
Jer. Taylor.
On even ground, with equal advantage. -
- On even keel (Naut.), in a level or
horizontal position.
E"ven (ēv"'n) n. [OE. eve,
even, efen, æfen. AS. ǣfen;
akin to OS. āband, OFries, āvend, D.
avond, OHG. āband, Icel. aptan, Sw.
afton, Dan. aften; of unknown origin. Cf. Eve,
Evening.] Evening. See Eve, n.
1. [Poetic.] Shak.
E"ven (?), v. i. To be
equal. [Obs.] R. Carew.
E"ven, adv. [AS. efne. See
Even, a., and cf. E'en.]
1. In an equal or precisely similar manner;
equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well. "Is it even
so?" Shak.
Even so did these Gauls possess the
coast.
Spenser.
2. Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or
level; so much as; fully; quite.
Thou wast a soldier
Even to Cato's wish.
Shak.
Without . . . making us even sensible of the
change.
Swift.
3. As might not be expected; -- serving to
introduce what is unexpected or less expected.
I have made several discoveries, which appear new,
even to those who are versed in critical
learning.
Addison.
4. At the very time; in the very
case.
I knew they were bad enough to please, even
when I wrote them.
Dryden.
☞ Even is sometimes used to emphasize a word or
phrase. "I have debated even in my soul." Shak.
By these presence, even the presence of Lord
Mortimer.
Shak.E"ven (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Evened (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Evening (?)] 1. To make even or level; to
level; to lay smooth.
His temple Xerxes evened with the
soil.
Sir. W. Raleigh.
It will even all inequalities
Evelyn.
2. To equal. [Obs.] "To even him
in valor." Fuller.
3. To place in an equal state, as to
obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to
balance, as accounts; to make quits. Shak.
4. To set right; to complete.
5. To act up to; to keep pace with.
Shak.