as

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   To such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.

   She regards her kids as (being) as holy as saints.

2. 2
   adv

   For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)

   Likewise many other indulgences were by virtue hereof granted; as, to have a portatile altar, to receive the Sacrament privately; […]

3. 3
   conj

   In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that.

   Do as I say!

4. 4
   conj

   At the time that; during the time when:

   As I came in, she fled.

5. 5
   conj

   Being that, considering that, because, since.

   As it’s too late, I quit.

6. 6
   conj

   Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb elided): as though, as if.

   And sodenly there cam a sounde from heven as it had bene the commynge off a myghty wynde […]

7. 7
   conj

   used before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning of the sentence; specifically.

   The case is dismissed as between Jones and Smith.

8. 8
   conj

   Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun: that, which, who. (See usage notes.)

   You strike me as being a very fidgety type of person.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Indo-European *h₂elnós Proto-Germanic *allaz Proto-West Germanic *all Proto-Indo-European *swéder.? Proto-Germanic *swa Proto-West Germanic *swā Proto-West Germanic *allswā Old English eallswā Middle English also Middle English as English as From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German a(l)s, German als, Dutch als.