but

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   Apart from, except (for), excluding.

   Everyone but Father left early.

2. 2
   prep

   Outside of.

   Away but the hoose and tell me whae's there.

3. 3
   adv

   Merely, only, just, no more than

   Christmas comes but once a year, so we can but wait till then.

4. 4
   adv

   Though, however.

   I'll have to go home early but.

5. 5
   conj

   However, although, nevertheless, on the other hand (introducing a clause contrary to prior belief or in contrast with the preceding clause or sentence).

   She is very old but still attractive.

6. 6
   conj

   On the contrary, rather (as a regular adversative conjunction, introducing a word or clause in contrast or contradiction with the preceding negative clause or sentence).

   I am not rich but [I am] poor.  Not John but Peter went there.

7. 7
   conj

   Used at the beginning of a sentence to express opposition to a remark.

   But I never said you could do that!

8. 8
   conj

   Except that (introducing a subordinate clause which qualifies a negative statement); also, (archaic) with omission of the subject of the subordinate clause, acting as a negative relative, "except one that", "except such that".

   I cannot but feel offended.

Etymology

From Middle English but, buten, boute, bouten, from Old English būtan (“without, outside of, except, only”), from Proto-West Germanic *biūtan, *biūtini, equivalent to be- + out. Cognate with Scots but, bot (“outside, without, but”), Saterland Frisian buute (“without”), West Frisian bûten (“outside of, apart from, other than, except, but”), Dutch buiten (“outside”), Dutch Low Saxon buten (“outside”), German Low German buuten, buute (“outside”), obsolete German baußen (“outside”), Luxembourgish baussen. Compare bin, about.