[nuhn] 
| 1. | no one; not one: None of the members is going. |
| 2. | not any, as of something indicated: None of the pie is left. That is none of your business. |
| 3. | no part; nothing: I'll have none of your backtalk! |
| 4. | (used with a plural verb ) no or not any persons or things: I left three pies on the table and now there are none. None were left when I came. |
| 5. | to no extent; in no way; not at all: The supply is none too great. |
| 6. | Archaic. not any; no (usually used only before a vowel or h): Thou shalt have none other gods but me. |
| none (nŭn) pron.
[Middle English, from Old English nān : ne, no, not; see ne in Indo-European roots + ān, one; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots.] Usage Note: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word ān, "one," but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward. The plural usage appears in the King James Bible as well as the works of John Dryden and Edmund Burke and is widespread in the works of respectable writers today. Of course, the singular usage is perfectly acceptable. The choice between a singular or plural verb depends on the desired effect. Both options are acceptable in this sentence: None of the conspirators has (or have) been brought to trial. When none is modified by almost, however, it is difficult to avoid treating the word as a plural: Almost none of the officials were (not was) interviewed by the committee. None can only be plural in its use in sentences such as None but his most loyal supporters believe (not believes) his story. See Usage Notes at every, neither, nothing. |
none
In addition to the idioms beginning with none, also see all (none) of the above; bar none; not have it (have none of); second to none.
