ever

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   very, used as an intensifier for adjectives

   You were ever so friendly.

2. 2
   adv

   at all times

   all the time and on every occasion

3. 3
   adv

   at any time

   did you ever smoke?

4. 4
   adv

   Always, frequently, forever.

   It was ever thus.

5. 5
   adv

   Continuously, constantly, all the time (for the complete duration).

   People struggled to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living.

6. 6
   adv

   At any time.

   We've only ever talked on the phone.

7. 7
   adv

   As intensifier following an interrogative word.

   Was I ever glad to see you!

8. 8
   adv

   Indicates experiential aspect, once; has or have (done something) before.

   but i ever ran 5mins using the 1400 cells and the type RR 23T motor...

Etymology

From Middle English ever, from Old English ǣfre, originally a phrase whose first element undoubtedly consists of Old English ā (“ever, always”) + in (“in”) + an element possibly from feorh (“life, existence”) (dative fēore). Compare Old English ā tō fēore (“ever in life”), Old English feorhlīf (“life”). Sense 5 of the adverb was likely formed by association with never, which also carries the meaning of did not in colloquial Singaporean and Malaysian English. Also, compare Chinese 有 … 過 /有 … 过 (yǒu ... guò / jau⁵ ... gwo³, “has […] before”).