each

Meanings

1. 1
   det

   Every one of two or more things or people, considered separately.

   Make sure you wash each bowl well.

2. 2
   pron

   Every single one, taken individually.

   I'm going to give each of you a chance to win.

3. 3
   adv

   For or to every one; apiece.

   The apples cost fifty cents each.

From Middle English eche, elche, ilch, from Old English ǣlċ, contraction of ǣġhwelċ. Comparable to aye + alike. Compare Scots ilk, elk (“each, every”), Saterland Frisian älk (“each”), West Frisian elk, elts (“each”), Dutch elk (“each”), Low German elk, ellik (“each”), German Low German elk, elke (“each, every”), German jeglicher (“any”). By surface analysis, Old English ā + which.

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