adv.1 at all times; always (ever hopeful; ever after).
2 at any time (have you ever been to Paris?; nothing ever happens; as good as ever).
3 as an emphatic word: a in any way; at all (how ever did you do it?; when will they ever learn?). b (prec. by as) in any manner possible (be as quick as ever you can).
4 (in comb.) constantly (ever-present; ever-recurring).
5 (foll. by so, such) Brit. colloq. very; very much (is ever so easy; was ever such a nice man; thanks ever so).
6 (foll. by compar.) constantly, increasingly (grew ever larger).
Phrases and idioms:
did you ever? colloq. did you ever hear or see the like? ever since throughout the period since. for ever
1. for all future time.
2 colloq. for a long time (cf. FOREVER).
Etymology: OE {aelig}fre