GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 2 definitions

1.       
   Both , a. or pron. [OE. bothe, baþe, fr. Icel. bāðir; akin to Dan. baade, Sw. båda, Goth. bajōþs, OHG. beidē, bēdē, G. & D. beide, also AS. begen, bā, bū, Goth. bai, and Gr. ἄμφω, L. ambo, Lith. abà, OSlav. oba, Skr. ubha. √310. Cf. Amb-.] The one and the other; the two; the pair, without exception of either.
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   ☞ It is generally used adjectively with nouns; as, both horses ran away; but with pronouns, and often with nous, it is used substantively, and followed by of.
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   It frequently stands as a pronoun.
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   She alone is heir to both of us.
   Shak.
   
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   Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
   Gen. xxi. 27.
   
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   He will not bear the loss of his rank, because he can bear the loss of his estate; but he will bear both, because he is prepared for both.
   Bolingbroke.
   
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   It is often used in apposition with nouns or pronouns.
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   Thy weal and woe are both of them extremes.
   Shak.
   
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   This said, they both betook them several ways.
   Milton.
   
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   Both now always precedes any other attributive words; as, both their armies; both our eyes.
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   Both of is used before pronouns in the objective case; as, both of us, them, whom, etc.; but before substantives its used is colloquial, both (without of) being the preferred form; as, both the brothers.
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2.       
   Both, conj. As well; not only; equally.
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   Both precedes the first of two coördinate words or phrases, and is followed by and before the other, both . . . and . . . ; as well the one as the other; not only this, but also that; equally the former and the latter. It is also sometimes followed by more than two coördinate words, connected by and expressed or understood.
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   To judge both quick and dead.
   Milton.
   
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   A masterpiece both for argument and style.
   Goldsmith.
   
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   To whom bothe heven and erthe and see is sene.
   Chaucer.
   
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   Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound.
   Goldsmith.
   
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   He prayeth well who loveth well
   Both man and bird and beast.
   Coleridge.
   
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