~ 1
■ adjective ( ~er , ~est )
1》 flat and smooth; level.
2》 equal in number, amount, or value.
↘equally balanced: the match was fairly ~.
↘having little variation in quality; regular.
3》 (of a person's temper or disposition) equable; calm.
4》 (of a number) divisible by two without a remainder.
■ verb (often ~ out/up ) make or become ~.
■ adverb used for emphasis: he knows ~ less than I do.
Phrases
~ as at the very same time as.
an ~ break informal a fair chance.
~ if despite the possibility or fact that.
~ now (or then )
1》 now (or then) as well as before.
2》 in spite of what has (or had) happened.
3》 at this (or that) very moment.
~ so nevertheless.
~ though despite the fact that.
of ~ date Law or formal of the same date.
on an ~ keel
1》 not listing or tilting to one side.
2》 functioning normally after a period of difficulty.
Derivatives
~ly adverb
~ness noun
Origin
OE efen (adjective), efne (adverb), of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun archaic or literary ~ing.
Origin
OE fen , of Gmc origin.