any

any
\ \ [OE] Any is descended from a prehistoric Germanic compound meaning literally ‘one-y’ (a formation duplicated in unique, whose Latin source ūnicus was compounded of ūnus ‘one’ and the adjective suffix -icus). Germanic *ainigaz was formed from *ain- (source of English one) and the stem *-ig-, from which the English adjective suffix -y is ultimately derived.
\ \ In Old English this had become ǣnig, which diversified in Middle English to any and eny; modern English any preserves the spelling of the former and the pronunciation of the latter.
\ \ Cf.⇒ ONE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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Synonyms:
(of many), / (indefinitely), , ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • any — 1. use with singular or plural nouns. Any can be used with a singular or plural noun, or with an uncountable noun such as homework and happiness, to denote choice from three or more people or things (for choice from two, either is used): • The… …   Modern English usage

  • Any — A ny, a. & pron. [OE. [ae]ni[yogh], [ae]ni, eni, ani, oni, AS. [=ae]nig, fr. [=a]n one. It is akin to OS. [=e]nig, OHG. einic, G. einig, D. eenig. See {One}.] 1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • any — [en′ē] adj. [ME ani < OE ænig < an, ONE; akin to Ger einig, ON einigr] 1. one, no matter which, of more than two [any pupil may answer] 2. some, no matter how much or how little, how many, or what kind [he can t tolerate any criticism] 3.… …   English World dictionary

  • any — any·one; any·thing·ar·i·an; any·wheres; any; any·wise; gow·any; any·body; any·thing; …   English syllables

  • Łany — may refer to the following places in Poland: *Łany, Lower Silesian Voivodeship (south west Poland) *Łany, Krasnystaw County in Lublin Voivodeship (east Poland) *Łany, Kraśnik County in Lublin Voivodeship (east Poland) *Łany, Puławy County in… …   Wikipedia

  • Any — Cet article possède des paronymes, voir : Annie et Anis. Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • any — (adj.) O.E. ænig any, anyone, lit. one y, from P.Gmc. *ainagas (Cf. O.S. enig, O.N. einigr, O.Fris. enich, Du. enig, Ger. einig), from PIE *oi no one, unique (see ONE (Cf. one)). The y ma …   Etymology dictionary

  • Any — A ny, adv. To any extent; in any degree; at all. [1913 Webster] You are not to go loose any longer. Shak. [1913 Webster] Before you go any farther. Steele. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Any — or ANY may refer to: *Any (song), a song by the Japanese rock band Mr.Children *Anglesey, Wales *Anthony Municipal Airport, from its IATA airport code *ANY (magazine), a New York based architectural journal published from 1993 to 2000 …   Wikipedia

  • any — ► DETERMINER & PRONOUN 1) one or some of a thing or number of things, no matter how much or how many. 2) whichever or whatever one chooses. ► ADVERB ▪ at all; in some degree. USAGE When used as a pronoun any can be used with either a singular or… …   English terms dictionary

  • any — Mot Monosíl·lab Nom masculí …   Diccionari Català-Català

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