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6 dictionary results for: Each
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
each
[eech] Pronunciation Key
[eech] Pronunciation Key –adjective
–pronoun
–adverb
| 1. | every one of two or more considered individually or one by one: each stone in a building; a hallway with a door at each end. |
| 2. | every one individually; each one: Each had a different solution to the problem. |
| 3. | to, from, or for each; apiece: They cost a dollar each. |
[Origin: bef. 900; ME eche, OE ælc, equiv. to ā ever (see ay1) + (ge)līc alike; c. OHG éo-gilīh, OFris ellīk, D, LG elk
]
] —Synonyms 1. Each, every are alike in having a distributive meaning. Of two or more members composing an aggregate, each directs attention to the separate members in turn: Each child (of those considered and enumerated) received a large apple. Every emphasizes inclusiveness or universality: Every child (of all in existence) likes to play.
—Usage note The adjective each is always followed by a singular noun: each person; each book. When the adjective follows a plural subject, the verb agrees with the subject: They each dress in different styles. The houses each have central heating. When the pronoun each comes immediately before the verb, it always takes a singular verb: Each comes (not come) from a different country. When the pronoun is followed by an of phrase containing a plural noun or pronoun, there is a tendency for the verb to be plural: Each of the candidates has (or have) spoken on the issue. Some usage guides maintain that only the singular verb is correct, but plural verbs occur frequently even in edited writing.
It is also sometimes said that the pronoun each must always be referred to by a singular pronoun, but again actual usage does not regularly observe this stricture: Each member of our garden club had their own special interests. In the most formal speech and writing, singular verbs and pronouns occur more frequently than plural: Each member … had his own special interests. The use of plural forms, especially plural pronouns, has been increasing in the United States, partially because of the desire to avoid using he or his to refer to a female.
Anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, no one, someone, and somebody follow the same general patterns of pronoun agreement as each. See also they.
It is also sometimes said that the pronoun each must always be referred to by a singular pronoun, but again actual usage does not regularly observe this stricture: Each member of our garden club had their own special interests. In the most formal speech and writing, singular verbs and pronouns occur more frequently than plural: Each member … had his own special interests. The use of plural forms, especially plural pronouns, has been increasing in the United States, partially because of the desire to avoid using he or his to refer to a female.
Anyone, anybody, everyone, everybody, no one, someone, and somebody follow the same general patterns of pronoun agreement as each. See also they.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| each
(ēch) Pronunciation Key
adj. Being one of two or more considered individually; every: Each person cast a vote. My technique improved with each lesson. pron. Every one of a group considered individually; each one. adv. For or to each one; apiece: ten cents each. [Middle English ech, from Old English ǣlc; see līk- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: The traditional rule holds that the subject of a sentence beginning with each is grammatically singular, and the verb and following pronouns must be singular accordingly: Each of the apartments has (not have) its (not their) own private entrance (not entrances). When each follows a plural subject, however, the verb and subsequent pronouns remain in the plural: The apartments each have their own private entrances (not has its own private entrance). But when each follows the verb with we as its subject, the rule has an exception. One may say either We boys have each our own room or We boys have each his own room, though the latter form may strike readers as stilted. · The expression each and every is likewise followed by a singular verb and, at least in formal style, by a singular pronoun: Each and every driver knows (not know) what his or her (not their) job is to be. See Usage Notes at every, they. |
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
each
each
O.E. ælc "ever alike," from a "ever" + gelic "alike." Similar compounds are found in other Gmc. languages (cf. Du. elk, O.Fris. ellik). Originally used as we now use every (which is a compound of each) or all; modern use is by infl. of L. quisque. Modern spelling appeared late 1500s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
| each | |
adjective | |
| 1. | (used of count nouns) every one considered individually; "each person is mortal"; "each party is welcome" |
adverb | |
| 1. | to or from every one of two or more (considered individually); "they received $10 each" |
WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This
each
In addition to the idioms beginning with each, also see at each other's throats; made for (each other).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
Each
Each\ ([=e]ch), a. or a. pron. [OE. eche, [ae]lc, elk, ilk, AS. [ae]lc; [=a] always + gel[=i]c like; akin to OD. iegelik, OHG. [=e]ogil[=i]h, MHG. iegel[=i]ch, G. jeglich. [root]209. See 3d Aye, Like, and cf. Either, Every, Ilk.]1. Every one of the two or more individuals composing a number of objects, considered separately from the rest. It is used either with or without a following noun; as, each of you or each one of you. "Each of the combatants." --Fielding. Note: To each corresponds other. "Let each esteem other better than himself." Each other, used elliptically for each the other. It is our duty to assist each other; that is, it is our duty, each to assist the other, each being in the nominative and other in the objective case. It is a bad thing that men should hate each other; but it is far worse that they should contract the habit of cutting one another's throats without hatred. --Macaulay. Let each His adamantine coat gird well. --Milton. In each cheek appears a pretty dimple. --Shak. Then draw we nearer day by day, Each to his brethren, all to God. --Keble. The oak and the elm have each a distinct character. --Gilpin. 2. Every; -- sometimes used interchangeably with every. --Shak. I know each lane and every alley green. --Milton. In short each man's happiness depends upon himself. --Sterne. Note: This use of each for every, though common in Scotland and in America, is now un-English. --Fitzed. Hall. Syn: See Every.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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