~ 1
■ adverb
1》 to such a great extent.
↘extremely; very much.
↘ informal used to emphasize a clause or negative statement: that's ~ not fair.
2》 [with negative ] to the same extent: he isn't ~ bad.
3》 referring back to ~mething previously mentioned: I believe ~.
↘similarly: ~ have I.
4》 in the way described or demonstrated; thus.
■ conjunction
1》 and for this rea~n; therefore.
2》 ( ~ that ) with the result or aim that.
3》 and then.
4》 introducing a question or concluding statement.
5》 in the same way; correspondingly.
Phrases
and ~ on (or forth ) and similar things; et cetera.
only ~ much only a limited amount.
~ be it an expression of acceptance or resignation.
~ long! informal goodbye.
~ much as [with negative ] even: without ~ much as a word.
~ to speak (or say ) indicating that one is talking in an unusual or metaphorical way.
Origin
OE swā , of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun variant spelling of ~h .