I. ˈsəmˌ(h)wä]t, -ˌ(h)wə], usu ]d.+V; sometimes ˌ ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ pronoun
Etymology: Middle English somewhat, fr som some + what
1. : something (as an amount or degree) that is indefinite or unspecified : a part, more or less
he told them somewhat of his adventures
neglect somewhat of his duty
2. : some unspecified, undetermined, or indeterminate thing : something
3. : one (as a previously specified person, thing, or action) having to a greater or lesser extent the character, qualities, or nature of something else
he is somewhat of a connoisseur
4. : one (as a person or thing) that is important or noteworthy
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English somwhat, from somwhat, pron.
: in some degree or measure : to a certain slight or small extent : a little : slightly
the terrain roughens somewhat as the watershed … is approached — American Guide Series: Texas
the total was somewhat above earlier estimates
speech in somewhat different words — Edward Sapir
the somewhat ornately spired … church — American Guide Series: New Hampshire
somewhat at a loss for words
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: somewhat (I)
1. : an undetermined or unspecified quality, character, or amount
matter is an unknown somewhat — George Berkeley
2.
[translation of German etwas \]
Hegelianism : a reality to which belongs negation as a limit : a limited reality