17 definitions found for But

But BUT, part. for butan.
1. Except; besides;unless.
Who can it be, but perjured Lycon?
That is, removed, separated, excepted.
Lycon being separated, or excepted, who can it be?
And but infirmity,
Which waits upon worn times, hath something seized
His wish'd ability, he had himself
The lands and waters measured.
That is, except,unless, separate this fact, that infirmity had seized his ability,he had measured the lands and waters.
In this use but, butan, is a participle equivalent to excepting, and may be referred to the person speaking, or more naturally, it is equivalent to excepted,and with the following words, or clause,forming the case absolute.
Who can it be,Lycon being excepted?
And but my noble Moor is true of mind, it were enough to put him to ill thinking.
It cannot be but nature hath some director, of infinite power, to guide her in all her ways.
There is no question but the King of Spain will reform most of the abuses.
It is not impossible but I may alter the complexion of my play.
In the last three examples, that is omitted after but.
It is not impossible but that I may alter the complexion of my play.
In these and all similar phrases,but denotes separation, exception.
2. Only.
A formidable man, but to his friends.
There is but one man present.use of but is a modern innovation; but perhaps too firmly established to be corrected. In all such phrases, a negative, not, nothing, or other word,is omitted. He is not a formidable man, but to his enemies, that is, except. There is not but one man present, that is, there is not except or besides one present. So also, "Our light affliction is but for a moment." 2 Cor 4. Our affliction is not, except for a moment.
If they kill us, we shall but die. 2 Ki 7.
The common people in America retain the original and correct phrase,usually employing a negative. They do not say, I have but one. On the other hand, they say, I have not but one, that is, I have not except one; except one, and I have none. This word but for butan is not a conjunction, nor has it the least affinity to that part of speech.
BUT, cong. [Eng.over.]
More; further; noting an addition to supply what is wanting to elucidate, or modify the sense of the preceding part of a sentence, or of a discourse, or to continue the discourse, or to exhibit a contrast.
Now abide faith, hope, charity, these three;
but, the greatest of these is charity. 1 Cor 13.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the
lowly is wisdom. Prov 11.
Our wants are many and grievous; but quite of another
kind.
The house of representatives were well agreed in passing the bill; but the senate dissented.
This word is in fact a noun equivalent to addition or supply; but in grammatical construction, no inconvenience results from considering it to be a connective.
BUT, n. [L. peto.]
1. An end; a limit; a bound. It is used particularly for the larger end of a thing, as of a piece of timber, or of a fallen tree; that which grows nearest the earth. It is not often applied to the bound or limit of land; yet butted,for bounded, is often used.
2. The end of a plank in a ship's side or bottom, which unites with another; generally written butt.
BUT, v.i. To be bounded by; to lie contiguous to; a word used in America. [See Abut.]

but adv 1: and nothing more; "I was merely asking"; "it is simply a matter of time"; "just a scratch"; "he was only a child"; "hopes that last but a moment" [syn: merely, simply, just, only, but]

but - mountain

but - ub

but tub btu

but I. conjunction Etymology: Middle English, from Old English būtan, preposition & conjunction, outside, without, except, except that; akin to Old High German būzan without, except; akin to Old English be by, ūt out — more at by, out Date: before 12th century 1. a. except for the fact <would have protested but that he was afraid> b. that — used after a negative <there is no doubt but he won> c. without the concomitant that <it never rains but it pours> d. if not ; unless e. than <no sooner started but it stopped> — not often in formal use 2. a. on the contrary ; on the other hand ; notwithstanding — used to connect coordinate elements <he was called but he did not answer> <not peace but a sword> b. yet <poor but proud> c. with the exception of — used before a word often taken to be the subject of a clause <none but the brave deserves the fair — John Dryden> II. preposition Date: before 12th century 1. a. with the exception of ; barring <no one there but me> — compare but I,2c b. other than <this letter is nothing but an insult> 2. Scottish a. without, lacking b. outside III. adverb Date: 12th century 1. only, merely <he is but a child> 2. Scottish outside 3. to the contrary <who knows but that she may succeed> 4. — used as an intensive <get there but fast> IV. pronoun Date: 1556 that not ; who not <nobody but has his fault — Shakespeare> V. noun Etymology: Scots but, adjective (outer) Date: 1724 Scottish the kitchen or living quarters of a 2-room cottage

but
1.
conj., prep., adv., pron., n., & v.
--conj.
1 a nevertheless, however (tried hard but did not succeed; I am old, but I am not weak). b on the other hand; on the contrary (I am old but you are young).
2 (prec. by can etc.; in neg. or interrog.) except, other than, otherwise than (cannot choose but do it; what could we do but run?).
3 without the result that (it never rains but it pours).
4 prefixing an interruption to the speaker's train of thought (the weather is ideal - but is that a cloud on the horizon?).
--prep. except; apart from; other than (everyone went but me; nothing but trouble).
--adv.
1 only; no more than; only just (we can but try; is but a child; had but arrived; did it but once).
2 introducing emphatic repetition; definitely (wanted to see nobody, but nobody).
3 Austral. & NZ though, however (didn't like it, but).
--rel.pron. who not; that not (there is not a man but feels pity).
--n. an objection (ifs and buts).
--v.tr. (in phr. but me no buts) do not raise objections.
Phrases and idioms:
but for without the help or hindrance etc. of (but for you I'd be rich by now). but one (or two etc.) excluding one (or two etc.) from the number (next door but one; last but one). but that (prec. by neg.) that (I don't deny but that it's true). but that (or colloq. what) other than that; except that (who knows but that it is true?). but then (or yet) however, on the other hand (I won, but then the others were beginners).
Etymology: OE be-utan, butan, buta outside, without
2.
n. Sc.
Phrases and idioms:
but and ben the outer and inner rooms of a two-roomed house (see BEN(2)).
Etymology: BUT(1) = outside

but Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. You use but to introduce something which contrasts with what you have just said, or to introduce something which adds to what you have just said. 'You said you'd stay till tomorrow.'—'I know, Bel, but I think I would rather go back.'... Place the saucepan over moderate heat until the cider is very hot but not boiling... He not only wants to be taken seriously as a musician, but as a poet too. CONJ 2. You use but when you are about to add something further in a discussion or to change the subject. They need to recruit more people into the prison service. But another point I'd like to make is that many prisons were built in the nineteenth century. CONJ 3. You use but after you have made an excuse or apologized for what you are just about to say. Please excuse me, but there is something I must say... I'm sorry, but it's nothing to do with you... Forgive my asking, but you're not very happy, are you? CONJ 4. You use but to introduce a reply to someone when you want to indicate surprise, disbelief, refusal, or protest. 'I don't think I should stay in this house.'—'But why?'... 'Somebody wants you on the telephone'—'But no one knows I'm here!' CONJ [feelings] 5. But is used to mean 'except'. Europe will be represented in all but two of the seven races... He didn't speak anything but Greek... The crew of the ship gave them nothing but bread to eat. PREP: n PREP n 6. But is used to mean 'only'. (FORMAL) This is but one of the methods used to try and get alcoholics to give up drink. ...Napoleon and Marie Antoinette, to name but two who had stayed in the great state rooms. ADV: ADV n, ADV num 7. You use buts in expressions like 'no buts' and 'ifs and buts' to refer to reasons someone gives for not doing something, especially when you do not think that they are good reasons. 'B-b-b-b-but' I stuttered.—'Never mind the buts,' she ranted... He committed a crime, no ifs or buts about it. N-PLURAL 8. You use cannot but, could not but, and cannot help but when you want to emphasize that you believe something must be true and that there is no possibility of anything else being the case. (FORMAL) The pistol was positioned where I couldn't help but see it... She could not but congratulate him. PHRASE: PHR inf [emphasis] 9. You use but for to introduce the only factor that causes a particular thing not to happen or not to be completely true. ...the small square below, empty but for a delivery van and a clump of palm trees... PHRASE: PHR n/-ing 10. You use but then or but then again before a remark which slightly contradicts what you have just said. My husband spends hours in the bathroom, but then again so do I. PHRASE: PHR cl 11. You use but then before a remark which suggests that what you have just said should not be regarded as surprising. He was a fine young man, but then so had his father been... Sonia might not speak the English language well, but then who did? PHRASE: PHR cl 12. all but: see all anything but: see anything

but
ond, ac, ond, ac

But But (b[u^]t), prep., adv. & conj. [OE. bute, buten, AS. b[=u]tan, without, on the outside, except, besides; pref. be- + [=u]tan outward, without, fr. [=u]t out. Primarily, b[=u]tan, as well as [=u]t, is an adverb. [root]198. See By, Out; cf. About.] 1. Except with; unless with; without. [Obs.] So insolent that he could not go but either spurning equals or trampling on his inferiors. --Fuller. Touch not the cat but a glove. --Motto of the Mackintoshes. 2. Except; besides; save. Who can it be, ye gods! but perjured Lycon? --E. Smith. Note: In this sense, but is often used with other particles; as, but for, without, had it not been for. ``Uncreated but for love divine.'' --Young. 3. Excepting or excluding the fact that; save that; were it not that; unless; -- elliptical, for but that. And but my noble Moor is true of mind . . . it were enough to put him to ill thinking. --Shak. 4. Otherwise than that; that not; -- commonly, after a negative, with that. It cannot be but nature hath some director, of infinite power, to guide her in all her ways. --Hooker. There is no question but the king of Spain will reform most of the abuses. --Addison. 5. Only; solely; merely. Observe but how their own principles combat one another. --Milton. If they kill us, we shall but die. --2 Kings vii. 4. A formidable man but to his friends. --Dryden. 6. On the contrary; on the other hand; only; yet; still; however; nevertheless; more; further; -- as connective of sentences or clauses of a sentence, in a sense more or less exceptive or adversative; as, the House of Representatives passed the bill, but the Senate dissented; our wants are many, but quite of another kind. Now abideth faith hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. --1 Cor. xiii. 13. When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. --Prov. xi. 2. All but. See under All. But and if, but if; an attempt on the part of King James's translators of the Bible to express the conjunctive and adversative force of the Greek ?. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; . . . the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him. --Luke xii. 45, 46. But if, unless. [Obs.] --Chaucer. But this I read, that but if remedy Thou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see. --Spenser. Syn: But, However, Still. Usage: These conjunctions mark opposition in passing from one thought or topic to another. But marks the opposition with a medium degree of strength; as, this is not winter, but it is almost as cold; he requested my assistance, but I shall not aid him at present. However is weaker, and throws the opposition (as it were) into the background; as, this is not winter; it is, however, almost as cold; he required my assistance; at present, however, I shall not afford him aid. The plan, however, is still under consideration, and may yet be adopted. Still is stronger than but, and marks the opposition more emphatically; as, your arguments are weighty; still they do not convince me. See Except, However. Note: ``The chief error with but is to use it where and is enough; an error springing from the tendency to use strong words without sufficient occasion.'' --Bain.

But But, n. [Cf. But, prep., adv. & conj.] The outer apartment or kitchen of a two-roomed house; -- opposed to ben, the inner room. [Scot.]

But But, n. [See 1st But.] 1. A limit; a boundary. 2. The end; esp. the larger or thicker end, or the blunt, in distinction from the sharp, end. See 1st Butt. But end, the larger or thicker end; as, the but end of a log; the but end of a musket. See Butt, n.

But But, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Butted; p. pr. & vb. n. Butting.] See Butt, v., and Abut, v.

Butt Butt, But But, n. [F. but butt, aim (cf. butte knoll), or bout, OF. bot, end, extremity, fr. boter, buter, to push, butt, strike, F. bouter; of German origin; cf. OHG. b[=o]zan, akin to E. beat. See Beat, v. t.] 1. A limit; a bound; a goal; the extreme bound; the end. Here is my journey's end, here my butt And very sea mark of my utmost sail. --Shak. Note: As applied to land, the word is nearly synonymous with mete, and signifies properly the end line or boundary; the abuttal. 2. The thicker end of anything. See But. 3. A mark to be shot at; a target. --Sir W. Scott. The groom his fellow groom at butts defies, And bends his bow, and levels with his eyes. --Dryden. 4. A person at whom ridicule, jest, or contempt is directed; as, the butt of the company. I played a sentence or two at my butt, which I thought very smart. --Addison. 5. A push, thrust, or sudden blow, given by the head of an animal; as, the butt of a ram. 6. A thrust in fencing. To prove who gave the fairer butt, John shows the chalk on Robert's coat. --Prior. 7. A piece of land left unplowed at the end of a field. The hay was growing upon headlands and butts in cornfields. --Burrill. 8. (Mech.) (a) A joint where the ends of two objects come squarely together without scarfing or chamfering; -- also called butt joint. (b) The end of a connecting rod or other like piece, to which the boxing is attached by the strap, cotter, and gib. (c) The portion of a half-coupling fastened to the end of a hose. 9. (Shipbuilding) The joint where two planks in a strake meet. 10. (Carp.) A kind of hinge used in hanging doors, etc.; -- so named because fastened on the edge of the door, which butts against the casing, instead of on its face, like the strap hinge; also called butt hinge. 11. (Leather Trade) The thickest and stoutest part of tanned oxhides, used for soles of boots, harness, trunks. 12. The hut or shelter of the person who attends to the targets in rifle practice. Butt chain (Saddlery), a short chain attached to the end of a tug. Butt end. The thicker end of anything. See But end, under 2d But. Amen; and make me die a good old man! That's the butt end of a mother's blessing. --Shak. A butt's length, the ordinary distance from the place of shooting to the butt, or mark. Butts and bounds (Conveyancing), abuttals and boundaries. In lands of the ordinary rectangular shape, butts are the lines at the ends (F. bouts), and bounds are those on the sides, or sidings, as they were formerly termed. --Burrill. Bead and butt. See under Bead. Butt and butt, joining end to end without overlapping, as planks. Butt weld (Mech.), a butt joint, made by welding together the flat ends, or edges, of a piece of iron or steel, or of separate pieces, without having them overlap. See Weld. Full butt, headfirst with full force. [Colloq.] ``The corporal . . . ran full butt at the lieutenant.'' --Marryat.

Butt Butt, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Butted; p. pr. & vb. n. Butting.] [OE. butten, OF. boter to push, F. bouter. See Butt an end, and cf. Boutade.] 1. To join at the butt, end, or outward extremity; to terminate; to be bounded; to abut. [Written also but.] And Barnsdale there doth butt on Don's well-watered ground. --Drayton. 2. To thrust the head forward; to strike by thrusting the head forward, as an ox or a ram. [See Butt, n.] A snow-white steer before thine altar led, Butts with his threatening brows. --Dryden.

but I. conj. 1. On the other hand, on the contrary. 2. Yet, still, however, nevertheless, moreover, further. 3. Unless, if it were not that, if it be not that. 4. But that, otherwise than that. II. prep. Except, excepting. III. ad. Only, no more than. IV. n. 1. End (especially the larger end), but-end. 2. Bound, boundary, mete, goal, limit.

46 Moby Thesaurus words for "but": after all, again, albeit, all the same, alone, although, aside from, at all events, at any rate, bar, barring, besides, entirely, even, even so, except, except that, excepting, excluding, exclusively, for all that, howbeit, however, if not, in any case, in any event, just the same, merely, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, only, outside of, rather, save, saving, simply, solely, still, though, unless, unless that, were it not, when, without, yet