except

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

   I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!

2. 2
   verb

   To take exception, to object (to or against).

   to except to a witness or his testimony

3. 3
   prep

   Used to introduce an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

   There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.

4. 4
   conj

   Used to introduce a clause, phrase, verb infinitive, adverb or other non-noun complement forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

   You look a bit like my sister, except (that) she has longer hair.

5. 5
   conj

   Loosely, used to introduce a contrastive statement explaining why something wasn't successful, didn't happen, etc.

   They fired tear gas at us, except the wind was blowing the wrong way.

6. 6
   conj

   Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.

   And they sayde: We have no moo but five loves and two fisshes, except we shulde goo and bye meate for all this people.

7. 7
   verb

   prevent from being included or considered or accepted

8. 8
   verb

   take exception to

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French excepter, from Latin exceptus.