I. ˈbət conjunction
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English būtan, preposition & conjunction, outside, without, except, except that; akin to Old High German būzan without, except; akin to Old English be by, ūt out — more at by , out
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : except for the fact
would have protested but that he was afraid
b. : that — used after a negative
there is no doubt but he won
c. : without the concomitant that
it never rains but it pours
d. : if not : unless
e. : than
no sooner started but it stopped
— not often in formal use
2.
a. : on the contrary : on the other hand : notwithstanding — used to connect coordinate elements
he was called but he did not answer
not peace but a sword
b. : yet
poor but proud
c. : with the exception of — used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause
none but the brave deserves the fair — John Dryden
•
- but that
- but what
II. preposition
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : with the exception of : barring
no one there but me
— compare but I,2c
b. : other than
this letter is nothing but an insult
2. Scottish
a. : without , lacking
b. : outside
III. adverb
Date: 12th century
1. : only , merely
he is but a child
2. Scottish : outside
3. : to the contrary
who knows but that she may succeed
4. — used as an intensive
get there but fast
IV. pronoun
Date: 1556
: that not : who not
nobody but has his fault — Shakespeare
V. noun
Etymology: Scots but, adjective (outer)
Date: 1724
Scottish : the kitchen or living quarters of a 2-room cottage