WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Ev"er*y
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [OE. everich, everilk; AS. ever + ?lc each. See Ever, each.]
Definition : 1. All the parts which compose a whole collection or aggregate number, considered in their individuality, all taken separately one by one, out of an indefinite bumber. Every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Ps. xxxix. 5. Every door and window was adorned with wreaths of flowers. Macaulay.

2. Every one. Cf. Each. [Obs.] "Every of your wishes." Shak. Daily occasions given to every of us. Hooker. Every each, every one. [Obs.] "Every each of them hath some vices." Burton.. -- Every now and then, at short intervals; occasionally; repeatedly; frequently. [Colloq.]

Note: Every may, by way of emphasis, precede the article the with a superlative adjective; as, every, the least variation. Locke.

Syn. -- Every, Each, Any. Any denotes one, or some, taken indifferently from the individuals which compose a class. Every differs from each in giving less promonence to the selection of the individual. Each relates to two or more individuals of a class. It refers definitely to every one of them, denoting that they are considered separately, one by one, all being included; as, each soldier was receiving a dollar per day. Every relates to more than two and brings into greater prominence the notion that not one of all considered is excepted; as, every soldier was on service, except the cavalry, that is, all the soldiers, etc. In each division there were four pentecosties, in every pentecosty four enomoties, and of each enomoty there fought in the front rank four [soldiers]. Jowett (Thucyd. ). If society is to be kept together and the children of Adam to be saved from setting up each for himself with every one else his foe. J. H. Newman.

& a. pron.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913