But prep., conj., adv. World English Historical Dictionary

But prep., conj., adv. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1888, rev. 2024. But prep., conj., adv. Forms: 1 be-útan (only as prep. or adv.), bútan, -on, -un, búta, búte, 2–3 buten, 2–4 bute, (2–3 boten, 2–4 bote, 3–7 Sc. bot), 3– but. [The OE. adv. and prep. be-útan, bútan, búta, ‘on the outside, without,’ of which the strong form regularly became in ME. bouten, boute, BOUT, as adv. and prep., was phonetically weakened to bŭten, bŭte, but, as a conjunction, with uses arising immediately out of the prepositional sense. In some of these uses, the conjunction is, even in modern English, not distinctly separated from the preposition: the want of inflexions in substantives, and the colloquial use of me, us, for I, we, etc., as complemental nominatives in the pronouns, making it uncertain whether but is to be taken as governing a case. In other words ‘nobody else went but me (or I)’ is variously analysed as = ‘nobody else went except me’ and ‘nobody else went except (that) I (went),’ and as these mean precisely the same thing, both are pronounced grammatically correct. (See Latham, Eng. Lang., ed. 1850, p. 483; also F. Hall, Modern English, 104, 303, notes.) In colloquial use me, us, etc., are more common than I, we, etc.; in literary use, the point is usually avoided by substituting except, save, or otherwise altering the phraseology. In certain phrases the conjunctional but develops, by ellipsis of a preceding negative, the adverbial sense ‘only’: see C. 6 below. Otherwise the modern use of but as a preposition or adverb is only Scotch; the form BOUT which was the regular ME. repr. of OE. bútan as prep. and adv. having become obsolete by 1500.]

1   A.  prep. † 1. Outside of, without.

2   Only in OE. (see BOUT), exc. in mod.Sc. in such phrases as but the house: see BUT adv. 1 e.

3   2.  Without, apart from, unprovided with, void of. (Used in Sc. since 14th c. but now obsolescent. The ME. was boute, BOUT, q.v.

4 [894–1500.  see BOUT.]

5 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 91. Till the toun soyn cumin ar thai Sa preuely, bot noyss making.

6 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., viii. And doun I lay bot ony tarying.

7 1497.  Minute Town-Counc. Edinb., in Phil. Trans., XLII. 421. Thai sall be banist but favors.

8 1533.  Bellenden, Livy, IV. (1822), 321. The samin wes done but ony respect to juris or lawe.

9 a. 1644.  Laud, Serm. (1847), 127. They … joy in their very tears to see they cannot call but crying.

10 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 163. I’d tak my Katie but a gown Bare-footed in her little coatie.

11 1794.  Burns, Auld Man, ii. My trunk of eild, but buss or bield Sinks in time’s wintry rage.

12 1810.  Tannahill, Poems (1846), 21. Safe but skaith or scar.

13   3.  Leaving out, barring, with the exception of, except, save. Distinctly a preposition in OE.

14 979–82.  O. E. Chron. (MS. Cott. Tib. A III). Þa feng Eadmund to … and heold seofoðe healf ʓear butan II nihtum.

15 a. 1000.  Menolog., 87 (Gr.). Ymb first wucan butan anre niht.

16   In later times, the original prepositional and later conjunctional uses are so inseparable that the whole are treated under C.

17   B.  adv. 1. Without, outside.

18   † a.  in general sense, with forms bútan, búta, bute, boute: see BOUT.

19   b.  spec. in Sc. with sense: Outside the house (of motion as well as rest); in mod.Sc. in or into the outer or more public apartment of the house, in the ante-room or kitchen: opposed to BEN, q.v. (Now less common than ben.)

20 c. 1450.  Henryson, Mor. Fab., 14. Her den … Full beenlie stuffed both butte and ben, Of Beines and Nuttes, Pease, Rye and Wheat.

21 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, IV. xii. 53. Flambe … Spreding fra thak to thak, baith but and ben.

22 1568.  Wife of Aucht., iv. in Bannatyne Poems (1770), 216. Aye as ye gang but and ben.

23 a. 1646.  A. Henderson, Let. Chas. I., Wks. 160. It cannot be brought But, that is not the Ben.

24 1787.  Burns, Lett., lii. Wks. (Globe), 334. I can hardly stoiter but and ben.

25 1827.  J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 357. Bring but a bottle o’ primrose wine.

26 Mod. Sc.  Gae but, and wait while I am ready.

27   c.  as adj. Outside, outer, exterior: as in but end.

28 1619.  Sir R. Boyle, in Lismore Papers (1886), I. 219. The but end of a great stone howse that was never fynished.

29 1862.  R. H. Story, in Athenæum, 30 Aug., 270. He conducted me to the but end of the mansion.

30   d.  as sb. The outer room of a house, into which the outer door opens. A but-and-ben: a house having an outer and an inner apartment; a two-roomed house.

31 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), I. 29. A house is butt and benn.

32 1786.  Burns, Calf, iv. Some kind, connubial dear, Your but-and-ben adorns.

33 1859.  R. Burton, Centr. Afr., in Jrnl. R. G. S., XXIX. 134. Each house has two rooms, a ‘but’ and a ‘ben’ separated by a screen of corn-canes…. The but, used as parlour, kitchen, and dormitory, opens upon the central square; the ben … serves for sleeping and for a storeroom.

34 1861.  Ramsay, Remin., iii. (ed. 18), 60. A cosy but, and a canty ben.

35 c. 1870.  R. Buchanan, Sutherland’s Pansies, iii. I found him settled in this but and ben.

36   e.  As prep.

37 1768.  Ross, Helenore, 74 (Jam.).        Lindy … Lifts up his head, an’ looking butt the floor, Sees Bydby standing just within the door.

38 Mod. Sc.  Gang but the house and see who is there, and come ben again and tell me. The mistress happened to be but the house [i.e., out in the kitchen] at the time.

39   2.  In sense: Only. An elliptic development of the conjunction: see C. 6.

40   C.  conj.

41   General Scheme. I. In a simple sentence. II. In a complex sentence. III. In a compound sentence, or introducing a consequent sentence. IV. In phrases.

42   I.  In a simple sentence; introducing a word or phrase (rarely a clause) which is excepted from the general statement: Without, with the exception of, except, save.

43   1.  After universal statements with all, every, any.

44   † a.  In OE. construed as a prep. with dative. (See A. 3.)

45 a. 1000.  Beowulf, 705 (Z.). Ealle buton anum.

46 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Job (Ettm.), iv. 15. Ealle þa þing … buton þam anum.

47   b.  In ME. and modern use weakened to a conjunction, as in 3 and 4.

48   (a.)  This is shown before a nominative pronoun.

49 c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 23. Alle shalle be slayn but oonely we.

50 a. 1835.  Mrs. Hemans, Casabianca, 2. The boy stood on the burning deck, Whence all but he had fled.

51 1872.  J. H. Newman, Disc. & Arguments, 6. I am one among a thousand; all of them wrong but I. [Colloq. also, ‘but me.’]

52   (b.)  Otherwise, on account of the levelling of inflexions, the case is not shown, or may be independent of but (quot. a. 1000), or but introduces a phrase.

53 a. 1000.  Panther, 16 (Gr.). Se is æthwam freond butan dracan anum.

54 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 763. Sua do we [ete] Of al þe tres bot of an.

55 1423.  James I., Kingis Q., 94. With wingis bright, all plumyt, bot his face.

56 1596.  Edw. III., II. i. 13. Wisdom is foolishness, but in her tongue.

57 1599.  Nashe, Christ’s T., 57 b. If wee did imitate ought but the imperfections of Beastes.

58 a. 1618.  Raleigh, Verses (Mildmay MS.). Love all eaten out but in outward showe.

59 1681.  Dryden, Abs. & Achit., 56. And thought that all but Savages were Slaves.

60 1802.  Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. ix. 68. I can bear any thing but contempt.

61 1838.  Thirlwall, Greece, V. xxxix. 81. It [an oath] was taken … by all but the Eleans.

62 Mod.  Any thing but that! Any one but a fool would understand. Anywhere but in England. At any time but the present. Everybody but you has signed.

63   c.  All but: everything short of. Hence, advb. Almost, very nearly, well nigh: see ALL A. 8 b.

64   2.  After only, or a superlative. Const. as in 1 b.

65 1580.  North, Plutarch, 672. The first time that ever the two Kings were of one House but then.

66 Mod.  The only person I have met but you. He is last but one in the class.

67   3.  After interrogatives (who, what, etc.) but was already in OE. construed as a conjunction, not affecting the case of the following sb. or pronoun, which depends upon the expansion of its own clause. This appears to have been universal in ME., and is regular now. Only rarely in modern times is but treated as a preposition governing the word.

68   a.  With pronouns showing the case.

69 a. 1000.  Crist, 695 (Gr.). Hwæt sindon þa ʓimmas butan god sylfe.

70 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 279. Who shulde be dampned but þou?

71 1782.  Cowper, Gilpin, 113. Away went Gilpin—who but he?

72 1777.  Sheridan, Sch. Scand., 231. Come—for, but thee, who seeks the Muse?

73 Mod.  Is there any one in the house but she? (or but her?) Who could have done it but he? (or but him?).

74   b.  Otherwise the case is not shown, or is objective independently of but.

75 c. 1300.  Cato Major, IV. v. What prou may þi catel do But hele wol with þe dele?

76 c. 1440.  Gesta Rom. (1878), 123. What dude he but yede, and purveyde him of iij. cautils.

77 1576.  Gascoigne, Steel Gl. (Arb.), 60. What causeth this, but greedy golde to get?

78 1601.  Weever, in Shaks. C. Praise, 42. Who but Brutus then was vicious?

79 1790.  Burke, Fr. Rev., 339. Who but the most desperate adventurers … could at all have thought of [it].

80 1872.  Black, Adv. Phaeton, xxiv. 336. What must she do but immediately turn to the Lieutenant?

81 Mod.  Whom could he mean but me? Why have they come but to annoy us?

82   4.  So after a negative, expressed or implied. (Here but regularly translates L. nisi, and may be explained as ‘unless, if not.’ It has been treated as a conjunction from the earliest times.)

83   † a.  With sb. or pron. as compl. to be: see 6 a.

84 c. 893.  K. Ælfred, Oros., I. i. Pær næran butan tweʓen dælas.

85 a. 1225.  Leg. Kath., 282. Þer nis bot a Godd.

86 c. 1240.  Ureisun, in Lamb. Hom., 185. Aȝein hwam þe sunne nis boten a schadwe.

87 1340.  Ayenb., 258. Þe ssredinge þet ne ssolde by bote a tokne … of þe ssame of his vader.

88 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. I. 205. Ther þe cat nys bote a kyton. Ibid., XX. 149. Alle þre nys bote o god.

89   b.  With a sb. or pronoun whose case depends on its own clause. (a.) The case is now shown only in a personal pronoun.

90 a. 1000.  Phœnix (Gr.), 358. Ne wat æniʓ butan metod ana.

91 a. 1000.  Seafarer (Gr.), 18. Ic ne ʓehyrde butan hlimman sæ.

92 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xi. 27. Nan mann ne can þone sunu butun fædyr [Lind. buta ðe fæder; Hatt. buto se fader; Vulg. nisi pater].

93 c. 1230.  Hali Meid., 21. Ne moten nane bute heo hoppen ne singen.

94 c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 183. No body bot he alone vnto þe Cristen cam.

95 c. 1370[?].  Robt. K. Cicyle, 61. There was lefte noon but he allone.

96 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 45. Othir God is noon but I.

97 c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 1166. Ther schalle no man fyght but y.

98 1560.  A. L., trans. Calvin’s Foure Serm. (1574), 48. There is none but he alone to save us.

99 1615.  trans. De Monfart’s Surv. E. Indies, 26. None but he and his men can tell, what is become of them.

100 a. 1842.  Arnold, Fragm. on Church (1845), 223. None but they … have a right to rule in the Church.

101   (b.)  Otherwise, on account of the levelling of inflexions, the case is not shown, or would be objective independently of but (as in quot. 1300, 1599, 1808).

102 1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1135. Durste nan man sei to him naht bute god.

103 c. 1200.  Moral Ode, in Trin. Coll. Hom., 223. Non ne cnoweð hine alse wel buten one drihte.

104 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 961. I wat bot þe haf i na frend.

105 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., I. 94. Love we God … and drede we noo thing but hym.

106 1599.  Greene, George a Gr. (1861), 256. He is the man and she will none but him.

107 1618.  J. Taylor (Water P.), Penniless Pilgr. (1883), 23. Nothing, (but my weary self) was bad.

108 1627.  Perkins, Prof. Bk., ii. § 158 (1642), 71. None speakes the same but their principall.

109 a. 1711.  Ken, Hymnotheo, Poet. Wks. 1721, III. 7. For I Nothing but Ants about this Hill descry.

110 1802.  Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. iii. 17. He wants nothing but a little common sense.

111 1808.  J. Barlow, Colomb., I. 30. Invoke no miracle, no Muse but thee.

112 1821.  Shelley, Hellas. Nought is but that which feels itself to be.

113   ¶ (c.)  The nominative occurs erroneously, where the construction requires the objective.

114 c. 1430.  Syr Gener., 902. This child hath no modre but I.

115 1607.  Topsell, Four-f. Beasts, 111. They have no other King but he.

116 a. 1866.  in Engel, Nat. Mus., ix. 358. And I had nae mair bot hee, O.

117   c.  With a prepositional, adverbial, infinitive, or other phrase (rarely expanded to a clause).

118 971.  Blickl. Hom., 33. Nolde he him na andswerian buton mid monþwærnesse.

119 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 455. He þat noght hadd bot of him.

120 1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 7939. Þey do nat wrong,—but al day.

121 1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., III. xxi. (1495), 69. He erryth not but by happe.

122 c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 292. She ne lokide but awrie, Or overthart, alle baggyngly.

123 1448.  Shillingford, Lett. (1871), 66. We wolde noght aggre bot to have power to arreste chanons men servants.

124 1609.  Skene, Reg. Maj., Burrow Lawes, 129. No man sould presume to buy fish … in any other place, bot in the Kings market.

125 1701.  Wotton, Hist. Rome, 401. He never us’d any Linnen or other Clothes but once.

126 1743.  J. Morris, Serm., ii. 49. Faith and hope have no aptitude to make us happy, but as they incline us to love.

127 1779.  Forrest, Voy. N. Guinea, 246. In the streets, women seldom speak but to women.

128 1843.  Ruskin, Mod. Paint. (1851), I. I. I. i. 2. No man can be really appreciated but by his equal or superior.

129 1884.  W. C. Smith, Kildrostan, 77. You have no choice but marry Doris now.

130   † d.  But was strengthened by only. Obs.

131 c. 1330.  Hali Meid., 5. Ha nawiht ne þarf of oðer þing þenchen bute an of hire leofmon.

132 c. 1460.  Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 42. It nedith not to … purvey, but only for the Kyngs Hous.

133 1602.  L. Lloyd, Confer. Lawes, 27. There was no God but onely his maister.

134 1682.  Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 2. No Appeal can be made, but only to the Senate.

135 a. 1715.  Burnet, Own Time, II. 242. They took little care of it, but only to find men who would bear the charge.

136   5.  Negative and interrogative sentences containing a comparative (esp. more) were formerly followed by but; they now usually take than, or else the comparative is omitted and but retained; modern idiom preferring sometimes one, sometimes the other.

137 1440.  J. Shirley, Dethe K. James (1818), 12. There be no mo kynges yn this reume bot ye and I.

138 c. 1500.  Rob. Hood (Ritson), I. i. 155. I have no more but ten shillings.

139 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cxi. 134. They … toke their horses, wherof they had no mo but sixe. Ibid. (1530), Gold. Bk. M. Aurel., Nn ij b. What greatter correction shuld I haue of thy wyckednes … but to bee certain that all the lovyng ladis of Rome ar sory of thy life.

140 1583.  Golding, Calvin on Deut., xlv. 266. To bestow it vpon men which are no better but dung.

141 1606.  G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Ivstine, 97 a. They were no better but a ragged sort of shepheards.

142 1644.  Chillingworth, Serm., 32. Our whole lives (if sincerely examined) would appeare, I feare, little lesse but a perpetuall lye.

143 1686.  W. Sherlock, Papist not Misrepresented, 21. The difference … is no more but this.

144 1713.  Steele, Guardian, No. 143, ¶ 5. There needed no more but to advance one step.

145 Mod.  There remains no more but to thank you for your courteous attention.

146   b.  So with similar sentences containing other, otherwise, else; in which but is still sometimes retained, esp. after else, as ‘Who else but he?’

147 971.  Blickl. Hom., 39. Hwylc beren mænde he þonne elles buton heofona rice? Ibid. Hwæt mænde he þonne elles, buton þæt we ʓefyllon þæs þearfan wambe mid urum godum?

148 1495.  Act 11 Hen. VII., ii. § 1. Ther to have noon other sustenaunce but brede and water.

149 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xix. (Arb.), 207. What els is man but his minde?

150 1611.  Bible, Pref., 1. For none other fault but for seeking to reduce their Countrey-men to good order.

151 1689.  Selden, Table T. (1847), 149. Pleasure is nothing else but the intermission of Pain.

152 1713.  Steele, Guardian, No. 143, ¶ 5. Had no other fault, but that of being too short.

153 Mod.  It is nothing else but laziness!

154   † c.  After unlike. Obs. rare.

155 1652.  Ashmole, Theatr. Chem., Prol. 7. Not unlike, but the Wall-nut-Tree which … grew in Glastonbury-Church-yard.

156   6.  By the omission of the negative accompanying the preceding verb (see 4 a), but passes into the adverbial sense of: Nought but, no more than, only, merely. (Thus the earlier ‘he nis but a child’ is now ‘he is but a child’; here north. dialects use NOBBUT = nought but, not but, ‘he is nobbut a child.’)

157 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4322. Bettur … þan folu þi prai þat es bot tint.

158 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. XVII. 359. He comeþ but selde.

159 c. 1400.  Maundev., 157. The folk … han but litille appetyt to mete.

160 c. 1440.  Anc. Cookery, in Househ. Ord. (1790), 465. Take rys, and gif hom but a boyle.

161 1512.  Act 3 Hen. VIII., vi. Preamb., The forsaid penaltie expressed in the said Statute is but xxs.

162 1617.  S. Collins, Epphata to F. T. (1628), 239. It was impious … but euen to touch the bodies of Saints dead.

163 1647.  Cowley, Mistr., Spring, ii. Could they remember but last year.

164 1732.  Berkeley, Alciphr., I. § 3 Wks. 1871, II. 29. Do but consider this.

165 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., iii. Premature consolation is but the remembrancer of sorrow.

166 1794.  Burns (title), My love she’s but a lassie yet.

167 1876.  Green, Short Hist., i. § 3 (1882), 30. In arms the kingdom had but a single rival.

168   † b.  In obsolete or dialectal use in various connected senses: Neither more nor less than, absolutely, actually, just, even. (Sometimes but seems merely expletive.) But now = just now, only this moment.

169 c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 596. For welle y wot that y am but dede.

170 c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 79. Yf thei se him, they are but lost for ever.

171 1594.  Nashe, Unfort. Trav., 39. He tolde me but euerie thing that she and he agreed of.

172 1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., I. 248. He is heere (Sir) about the house, I saw him but now.

173 1665.  Boyle, Occas. Refl. (1675), 37. A but plausible Argument, dress’d up in fine Similitudes.

174 1844.  F. Paget, Tales Village Childr., Ser. II. (1845), 16. My poor legs! how they do but tremble.

175 1859.  Barnes, Rhymes in Dorset Dial., II. 7. Back here, but now, the jobber John Come by.

176   † c.  Formerly strengthened with only, which now would be used alone.

177 1477.  Earl Rivers, Dictes, 9. Another litil flode whiche drowned but the contre of Egipte onely.

178 c. 1532.  Ld. Berners, Huon, lxxxviii. 280. I had but alonely my swerde in my hande.

179 1598.  Barnfield, Poems (Arb.), 112. They are indeed but onely meere Illusions.

180 1605.  Shaks., Macb., V. viii. 40. He onely liu’d but till he was a man.

181 1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 36. I find but only two sorts of writings.

182   7.  elliptically: Any but, aught but, anything else than, other than, otherwise than. (Often after ever, never.)

183 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. xviii. 20. Fewe had slepte but lytle, and yet they had sore traualed the daye before.

184 1596.  Edw. III., IV. i. 50. Never to be but Edwards faithful friend.

185 1610.  Shaks., Temp., I. ii. 118. I should sinne To thinke but Noblie of my Grand-mother.

186 1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 56. It cannot be but a dishonour and derogation to the author.

187 1794.  Burns, How long & dreary is the night. How can I be but eerie?

188 1832.  Blackw. Mag., XXXII. 166. He never took but one voyage.

189 1864.  R. Paul, Lett., in Mem. (1872), xviii. 273. You say you are tied hand and foot. You will never be but that in London.

190   b.  After cannot choose. ‘I cannot choose but speak’ = ‘I cannot help speaking.’ So interrogative ‘Who could choose but…?’ (Here the infinitive phrase was sometimes expanded into a sub-ordinate clause (cf. 16); esp. after the passive it cannot be chosen but.)

191 1557.  North, trans. Gueuara’s Diall Pr. (1582), 402. It cannot be chosen but wee must come before these judges, [etc.]. Ibid., 412. He cannot chose but he must fall downe flat to the grounde.

192 1619.  W. Sclater, Exp. 1 Thess. (1630), 295. Canst thou chuse now but say, God is in vs, of a truth?

193 1622.  Mabbe, trans. Aleman’s Guzman d’Alf., II. 296. We could not choose but be weary with our last night’s ill rest.

194 1676.  Hobbes, Iliad, II. 240. He could not chuse but laugh.

195 1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 70. I could not chuse but to forgive her!

196 1854.  Lady Lytton, Behind the Scenes, I. Pref. 11. They cannot choose but echo them correctly.

197   c.  After cannot, could not, dare not, etc., and the interrogative who could, etc., with ellipsis of do, be, etc. (Lat. non possum non.)

198 1549.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Coll. 15th Sund. after Tr., The frailty of man without thee cannot but fall.

199 1579.  Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 19. I cannot but commende his wisedome.

200 1619.  W. Sclater, Expos. 1 Thess. (1638), 166. What Atheist dares but yield attention?

201 1628.  Bp. Davenant, Serm., 35. If hee bid it stand still … it dares not but stand.

202 1644.  Milton, Areop. (Arb.), 32. It could not but much redound to the lustre of your milde and equall Government.

203 1705.  Addison, Italy, Ded. It can’t but be obvious to them.

204 1777.  Watson, Philip II. (1793), I. II. 26. Such power, and … resources could not but appear formidable.

205 1812.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1830), IV. 180. I cannot but be gratified by the assurance.

206 1832.  Ht. Martineau, Each & All, ii. 23. He could not but try.

207   II.  In a complex sentence; introducing the subordinate clause.

208   * With general sense ‘except that’; the full expression being but that, often reduced to but.

209   † 8.  But that = Except (that), save (that). Obs.

210 a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen., 1403 (Gr.). Egorhere eall acwealde buton þæt earce bord heold heofona frea.

211 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. v. 13. Ne mæʓ [þæt sealt] to nahte, buton þæt hit sy utaworpen.

212 c. 1205.  Lay., 31186. He wolde al þis kinelond setten an heore hond, bute þat he icleoped were king.

213   b.  with omission of that.

214 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, 316. Nothing would serve him, but he must imitate Alexander.

215 1713.  Steele, Guardian, No. 146, ¶ 4. Nothing would satisfy Sir George … but he must go into the den.

216 1820.  H. Matthews, Diary of Invalid (ed. 2), 174. Nothing would please him but I must try on his mitres, while he stood by giggling and skipping, as if it has been the best joke in the world.

217   9.  But that, introducing a consideration or reason to the contrary: Except for the fact that, were it not that. (Formerly that was occas. omitted.)

218 a. 1400.  Cov. Myst., 43 (Mätz.). Myn handwerk to sle sore grevyth me, but that here synne here deth doth brewe.

219 a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 44. Nere for joye she swounyd swythe, But as that he her helde vp ryght.

220 1611.  Shaks., Cymb., V. v. 41. And but she spoke it dying, I would not Beleeue her lips.

221 1628.  Earle, Microcosm., xlvi. (Arb.), 66. Hee would be wholy a Christian, but that he is something of an Atheist.

222 1682.  Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 78. We had not staid here long, but the Wind expected proved a brisque South-wind.

223 1726.  Amherst, Terræ Filius, xiv. 71. I need not have put the case so far, but that I was willing to shew [etc.].

224 1795.  Southey, Joan of Arc, I. 359. I too should be content to dwell in peace … But that my country calls.

225 1850.  Sir H. Taylor, Sicilian Sum., II. iii. Each by the other would have done the like But that they lack’d the courage.

226   ** With general sense ‘if not.’

227   10.  Introducing a condition: If not, unless, except. arch.

228 c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xli. § 2. Ðu seʓst þæt Nan þing wyrþe, bute hit God wille.

229 c. 1000.  Ags. Ps. vii. 12. Bute ʓe to him ʓecyrren, se deofol cwecð his sweord to eow.

230 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 147. Ne mei na Mon me folȝen, bute he forlete al.

231 c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 3616. Ðat folc on him ne miȝte sen But a veil wore hem bi-twen.

232 1388.  Wyclif, Matt. v. 20. That but [1382 but ȝif] ȝour riȝtfulnesse be more plenteuouse than of scribis … ȝe schulen not entre into the kyngdom of heuenes.

233 1461[?].  Paston Lett., II. 79. But I maye have helpe of my mayster and of yow, I am but lost.

234 1534.  Ld. Berners, Gold Bk. M. Aurel., S vij b. He is of an yll inclinacion, but he be forced.

235 1721.  St. German’s Doctor & Stud., 278. No man may take the man, but he have authority from the Sheriff.

236   † b.  Expanded into but if. Obs. (Very common from 14th to 16th c.)

237 c. 1200.  Ormin, 1662. Þatt nohht ne maȝȝ ben don … But iff itt bee wiþþ witt.

238 c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1110. Hov schulde þou com to his kyth bot-if þou clene were?

239 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. II. 184. Feith … ys … ded as a dore-nayle · bote yf þe dede folwe.

240 a. 1450.  Knt. de la Tour, ix. 13. But yef thei amende hem, the citee and the peple shulde be perysshed.

241 1580.  Sidney, Arcadia (1613), 115. He did not like that maides should once stir out of their fathers houses, but if it were to milke a cow.

242 1596.  Spenser, F. Q., III. iii. 16. But if remedee Thou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see.

243   11.  Hence a. With ‘It shall go hard’ and phrases of the nature of a threat. ‘I’d burn the house down but I’d find it,’ i.e., if I did not find it (without doing so) = even though I should have to burn the house down, I’d find it.

244 c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 102. I wyll abyde here this seven yere but I will wynne it.

245 1628.  Earle, Microcosm., xxxi. (Arb.), 53. It shall goe hard but he will wind in his opportunity.

246 1643.  Answ. Observ. W. Bridges conc. War., 21. Hee will worke wonders but he will doe it.

247 1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 307. They would go quite up to the Andes but they would find them. Ibid. (1727), Secrets Invis. World (1840), 300. I’d burn the house down but I’d find it.

248 1793.  Burns, Scots, wha hae, v. We will drain our dearest veins, But they shall be free!

249 1839.  New Monthly Mag., LVI. 513. It shall go hard but we shall damage the theory.

250   b.  After It is marvel (obs.); it is odds; it is ten to one, and the like.

251 1583.  Fulke, Defence (1843), 124. It is marvel but you will say, a dead body is not altogether void of strength.

252 1627.  H. Burton, Bait. Pope’s Bull, To Rdr. 3. A thousand to one, but he will breake loosse.

253 1663.  Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., viii. (1668), 35. It is a thousand to one but they will find the means.

254 1712.  Spectator, No. 457, ¶ 3. It is ten to one but my friend Peter is among them.

255 1713.  Steele, Guardian, No. 14, ¶ 1. It is odds but you lose.

256 1815.  Scribbleomania, 261. It is odds but he miscarries in his suit.

257 1864.  Miss Yonge, Trial, I. xii. 238. Ten to one but the police have got them.

258   c.  With an asseveration after an imprecation: If … not. arch. ‘Beshrew me, but I shall go’ = if I shall not go.

259 1596.  Shaks., Merch. V., II. vi. 52. Beshrew me but I loue her heartily.

260 1691.  J. Wilson, Belphegor, I. iii. Beshrew me, but I should have broken my heart.

261 1766.  Goldsmith, Vic. W., vii. May this glass suffocate me, but a fine girl is worth all the priestcraft in the creation.

262 1775.  Bickerstaff, Sultan, II. i. Let me die but I believe it is their dinner.

263   *** With general sense ‘that not,’ L. quin. After negative and questioning constructions.

264   12.  In a simple attributive clause belonging to a sb. or pronoun in the main sentence: That … not.

265 c. 1500.  Cocke Lorelles B. (1843), 12. There was non that there was But he had an offyce more or lasse.

266 1535.  Coverdale, 2 Kings xx. 15. There is nothynge in my treasures but I haue shewed it them.

267 1662.  H. More, Immort. Soul, 66. We cannot conceive of any portion of matter but it is either hard or soft.

268 c. 1846.  Spedding, Even. with Rev. (1881), 398. The Nemesis that overthrew Bacon wears her crown to this day, and hardly a man passes by but he must add a wreath to it.

269 1880.  Daily Tel., 11 Dec., 5/1. There never was a reform yet propounded … but some one pronounced it forthwith to be chimerical, extravagant, and Utopian.

270   b.  With omission of the pronominal subject or object of the dependent sentence, so that but acts as a negative relative: That … not, who … not. (L. quin.)

271 [1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. cxli. 170. There departed none agayne, but that had great gyftes gyuen them.]

272 1556.  J. Heywood, Spider & F., lii. No kind of flie a liue, but was there that day.

273 1587.  Churchyard, in Mirr. Mag. (1815), II. 490. Not one of these but gave his maister thanke.

274 1628.  Earle, Microcosm. (Arb.), 71. There is no man of worth but has a piece of singularity.

275 1689.  Selden, Table T. (1847), 210. There is no Prince in Christendom but is directly a Tradesman.

276 1723.  De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 290. There was scarce a plantation near me but had some of them.

277 1760.  Goldsm., Cit. W., l. There is no work whatsoever but he can criticize.

278 1820.  Keats, Lamia, 665. Not a man but felt the terror in his hair.

279 1866.  Kingsley, Herew., xli. (1877), 495. Hardly one of the Frenchmen round, but … looked on Hereward as a barbarian Englishman.

280   c.  But what is sometimes erron. put for but: see 30.

281   13.  Following an adjective qualified by not so. Cf. ‘So brave that he ventured,’ and ‘not so brave but (that) he hesitated.’

282 1534.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), C vj b. There is nothyng that is so loste but that there is hope of recoveryng.

283 1579.  Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 50. There was neuer fort so strong, but it might be battered.

284 1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., II. 538. No garden so well tilled but some noxious weeds grow up in it.

285 1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 203, ¶ 6. It is impossible … to make them so fast, but a cat … will find a way through them.

286 1814.  Cary, Dante (Chandos ed.), 79. Yet ’scap’d they not so covertly, but well I mark’d Sciancato.

287 1883.  Gosse, 17th Cent. Studies, 10. Lodge was not so vagrant a person but that he had married by this time.

288   14.  Introducing an inevitable accompanying circumstance or result: So that … not. Now generally expressed by without and gerund: ‘you cannot look but you will see it,’ i.e., without seeing it. Formerly sometimes but that.

289 a. 1400.  Cursor M., 9654 (Laud MS.). He may not scape where he go But him assaieþ euyr his fo.

290 c. 1400.  Maundev., 40. No Straungere comethe before him, but that he makethe him sum Promys.

291 1534.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), M iv b. One unhappynes chaunceth not, but an nother foloweth.

292 1644.  Heylin, Stumbling-bl., in Hist. & Misc. Tracts, 653. The Magistrate cannot be resisted, but that God is resisted, also.

293 1686.  Goad, Celest. Bodies, II. i. 123. You cannot dip into a Diary but you will find it.

294 1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 12, ¶ 4. Scarce any couple comes together, but the nuptials are declared in the newspapers with encomiums on each party.

295 1796.  Mrs. Inchbald, Nat. & Art, xxxiii. Nor did she ever weep, but he wept too.

296 1835.  Lytton, Rienzi, X. vi. 422. He had never confided but he had been betrayed.

297 Prov.  It never rains but it pours.

298   † 15.  a. After no sooner, where modern use requires than. (Also but that.) Obs.

299 1580.  Sidney, Arcadia (1613), 69. Philoclea no sooner espied the lyon but that … she leapt up, and ran to the lodge-ward.

300 1597.  T. Beard, Theat. God’s Judgem. (1612), 194. It was no sooner said but done.

301 1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, VI. v. (1840), 72/1. No sooner acquainted my brother, but he immediately wanted to propose it.

302 a. 1774.  Goldsm., Hist. Greece (1774), I. 265. Which Nicias had no sooner notice of, but he embarked his troops.

303   † b.  After scarce, scarcely; not half; not long, not far, and the like; where modern use requires when or before. Obs.

304 1523.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., I. 230. They were scant entred, but that the frenchmen came thyder.

305 1563.  Sackville, in Mirr. Mag. R iij b. We had not long furth past, but that we sawe Blacke Cerberus.

306 1587.  Turberv., Trag. T. (1837), 32. He scarcely spake the worde, but by and by … unto her flankes they flewe.

307 1681.  H. More, Exp. Dan., II. 35. He had scarce rub’d his eyes … but Darius fled.

308 1713.  Addison, Cato, IV. iv. Scarce had I left my father, but I met him.

309 1725.  De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 208. Nor had we received him on board half an hour, but … we put out to sea. Ibid. (1727), Secrets Invis. World (1840), 236. He had not gone many steps more, but he saw his brother.

310 1800.  Coleridge, Piccolom., I. ix. Scarce have I arrived … But there is brought to me from your equerry A splendid richly plated hunting dress.

311   † c.  After it was not long after, where modern use requires that.

312 1525.  Ld. Berners, Froiss., II. 156. It was not longe after but that the duke of Lancastre, [etc.].

313 1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 182/2. It was not long after, but Eustace sonne to King Stephan … made war on duke Henrie.

314   16.  After it cannot be, it is impossible, it is not possible, is it possible? More fully but that.

315 1539.  Cranmer, Bible, Luke xvii. 1. It can not be but offences wyl come [Wyclif, It is impossible that sclaundris come not; 1526 Tindale, It can not be avoyded but that offences will come; 1582 Rhem., It is impossible that scandale should not come; 1611 Bible, It is impossible but that offences will come].

316 1557.  North, trans. Gueuara’s Diall Pr. (1582), 185. It cannot be but that the writings of such a woman … were very lively.

317 1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel. (1806), I. 161. How is it possible but that we should be discontent?

318 1650.  R. Stapylton, Strada’s Low-C. Warres, VIII. 7. She said it was not possible but she must be in great anxiety.

319 1724.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 160. It was impossible but he should see it.

320 1792.  Mary Wollstonecr., Rights Wom., Ded. 5. I think it scarcely possible but that some of the enlarged minds … will coincide with me.

321 1880.  T. A. Spalding, Eliz. Demonol., 41. It can hardly be but that the ‘thousand noses’ are intended as a satirical hit.

322   ¶ b.  Erroneously for that, after it is not impossible, not improbable, not unlikely, etc. (Cf. 21.)

323 1665.  J. Wilson, Projectors, III. ’Tis not impossible but I may make my party good.

324 1680.  Vind. Conform. Clergy (ed. 2), 38. It is not unlikely but somebody may know.

325 1684.  N. S., Crit. Enq. Edit. Bible, xviii. 184. It is not improbable but that Origen … marked the various reading.

326 1711.  Medley, No. 33. It is not impossible, but such a Day as this may come; [etc.].

327 1780.  Madan, Thelyphthora, I. 3. It is not impossible, but that the light of that great reformer had remained hidden under the bushel of monkery.

328   17.  After (’Tis) pity.

329 1573.  New Custom, II. iii. in Hazl., Dodsley, III. 34. It were pity but thou were hanged before.

330 1598.  Barnfield, Poems (Arb.), 121. Pity but hee were a King.

331 1667.  H. More, Div. Dial., I. 64. It’s pitty but what you say should be true.

332 1852.  Miss Yonge, Cameos, II. xviii. 194. Pity but we knew more of the one loyal man of his time!

333   18.  Not but (that), elliptically = ‘it is not but that’; or perh. sometimes ‘not to say but that’; cf. next.

334 1642.  R. Brooke, Eng. Episc., 67. Not but that they were most worthy men.

335 1704.  Pope, Disc. Past. Poetry, § 10. Not but he [Spenser] may be thought imperfect on some few points.

336 1768.  Bickerstaff, Lionel & Cl., I. i. Not but your father had good qualities.

337 Mod.  Not but that I should have gone if I had had the chance.

338   **** After various verbs in negative or interrogative construction, with same general sense as in prec. series (12–18). In all cases but that is a possible variant.

339   19.  After not say, think, conceive, conclude, believe, know, see, be sure, persuade, and the like.

340 a. 1400.  Against Miracle Plays, in Rel. Ant., II. 56. Peraventure ye seyen that no man schal make ȝou to byleven but that is good.

341 1534.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), E e v b. Thinke not but it dooeth brenne my heart.

342 1581.  Styward, Martial Discip., I. 28. He maie not say but that hee was forewarned.

343 1656.  S. H., Gold. Law, 89. I see not but that … one or both are undone.

344 1686.  Goad, Celest. Bodies, I. ix. 33. Who knows but that Light and Cold may have kindness one for the other.

345 1760.  Goldsm., Cit. W., xxxii. Who knows but we may see a lord holding the bowl to a minister.

346 1847.  Blackw. Mag., LXI. 220. How could he tell but that Mildred might do the same?

347 1884.  Times (weekly ed.), 5 Sept., 3/4. I am not sure but that there is a state of facts by which … the Constitution would be in some danger.

348   ¶ b.  So formerly after deny, where that is now used.

349 1547.  Homilies, I. Fruitf. Exhort., II. (1859), 11. Yet no man can deny, but this is the chiefe.

350 1575.  Gascoigne, Notes of Instr. (Arb.), 32. I will not denie but this may seeme a preposterous ordre.

351 1663.  Bp. Patrick, Parab. Pilgr., viii. (1668), 33. I will not deny but that it is a difficult thing.

352 1790.  Paley, Horæ Paul., I. 5. I cannot deny but that it would be easy.

353   20.  After fear and equivalent verbs.

354 1556.  J. Heywood, Spider & F., lxvii. 31. Feare not: but I, Wyll fauer and forder your sute.

355 1641.  T. Edwards, Reasons agst. Indep., 20. I doe not feare but that these few Souldiers will be able to returne againe.

356 1820.  Blackw. Mag., VI. 684. I do not fear but that my grandfather will recover.

357 1879.  Mrs. Oliphant, Within Prec., xvii. 15. Never fear but I’ll go.

358   21.  After doubt, despair, make no question, scruple, and the like. (Cf. L. non dubito quin.) Here that is now considered more logical.

359 c. 1340.  Cursor M., 12322 (Trin.). She … douted nouȝt But goddes wille wolde be wrouȝt.

360 a. 1400.  Against Miracle Plays, in Rel. Ant., II. 51. No dowte but that it is deadly synne.

361 1548.  Latimer, Serm. Ploughers (Arb.), 37. I dout not but there were many blanchers in the olde time.

362 1600.  O. E. (? M. Sutcliffe), Repl. Libel, I. i. 23. I make no question, but they do farre excell them.

363 1656.  Artif. Handsomeness, 73. Who … scruples, but that they may lawfully be pluckt out?

364 a. 1661.  Fuller, Triana, iii. Sabina’s friends despair not but … to mould him.

365 1701.  W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, 482. They questioned not but to strike terror into the Romans.

366 1764.  Reid, Inquiry, iii. Wks. I. 116/2. Nor is it to be doubted, but smells … would appear to have as great variety.

367 1832.  Carlyle, in Fraser’s Mag., V. 399. Who doubted but the catastrophe was over?

368 1857.  Livingstone, Trav., i. 19. We … have no doubt but it will yet spring up.

369 1870.  Ruskin, Lect. on Art (1875), 87. I do not doubt but that you are surprised.

370   † 22.  After prevent (let), hinder, restrain, etc.; now expressed by from with the gerund, or the gerund alone. (Cf. L. nihil impedit quin or quominus.) Also after fail, miss, hold, forbear, and the like, where various constructions are now used, for which see those verbs.

371   An infinitive phrase often took the place of the clause.

372 1528.  Perkins, Prof. Bk., ii. § 156 (1642), 69. These words … shall not bind him but that hee may enter.

373 1553.  T. Wilson, Rhet., 81 b. If you loke in the boke … you shal not faile but find them.

374 1588.  R. Parke, Hist. China, 23. He cannot let but haue in his shop men that must worke of his occupation.

375 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xxv. (Arb.), 308. Our maker may not be in all cases restrayned, but that he may … manifest his arte.

376 1610.  Markham, Masterp., II. clxxii. 482. You shall not faile but … you shall spet in his mouth.

377 1626.  G. Hakewill, Comparison, 29. He could not hold but let fall teares at the sight thereof.

378 1653.  Cloria & Narcissus, I. 294. Cloria … could not forbeare but plainly to tell him her thoughts.

379 1656.  Artif. Handsomeness, 70. What … hinders … but that we may study to adorn our lookes?

380 1713.  Addison, Cato, III. vii. 18. What hinders then, but that thou find her out?

381 1737.  Whiston, Josephus, X. x. § 2. It could not be avoided but their … colours must be changed.

382 1844.  F. Paget, Tales Village Childr., Ser. II. (1845), 97. She cannot miss but see us.

383   † b.  After I see not or no cause = I see nothing to prevent. Also after There wanted but little; cf. L. parum abfuit quin. Obs.

384 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, III. xxi. I see not but the reste … may be borne with.

385 1600.  O. E. (? M. Sutcliffe), Repl. Libel, I. ix. 236. I see no cause … but that the Spaniardes should rather feare vs.

386 1658.  Ussher, Ann., 624. There wanted but little, but that the people had killed the Judges.

387   c.  After God forbid, and the like.

388 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. IV. 149. Lord it me for-bede Bote ich be holly at þyn heste.

389 1596.  Shaks., 1 Hen. IV., IV. iii. 38. Heauen defend, but still I should stand so.

390   III.  In a compound sentence, connecting the two co-ordinate members; or introducing an independent sentence connected in sense, though not in form, with the preceding. In a compound sentence the second member is often greatly contracted, as in ‘Thou hast not lied unto men, but (thou hast lied) unto God.’

391   * In a compound sentence.

392   23.  As adversative conjunction, appending a statement contrary to, or incompatible with, one that is negatived:

393   On the contrary. = Ger. sondern.

394 897.  O. E. Chron. Nawðer ne on Fresisc ʓescæpene ne on Denisc, bute swa him selfum ðuhte þæt hie nytwyrðoste beon meahten.

395 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 8598. Þai had na credel ne wit to bij Bot did þair childer bi þam lij.

396 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. I. 36. Þat wollen neyþer swynke ne swete bote swery grete oþes.

397 1593.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., II. v. § 7, Wks. 1841, I. 250. Neither the matter … was arbitrary, but necessary.

398 1610.  Healey, St. Aug. Citie of God, 581. Monkeyes, and Babiounes, were not men but beasts.

399 1681.  Dryden, Abs. & Achit., 567. He left not Faction, but of That was left.

400 1751.  Johnson, Rambl., No. 141, ¶ 10. A reply, not to what the lady had said, but to what it was convenient for me to hear.

401   24.  Appending a statement that is not contrary to, but is not fully consonant with, or is contrasted with, that already made:

402   Nevertheless, yet, however. = Ger. aber.

403 1535.  Coverdale, Isa. lxiii. 16. Abraham knoweth vs not … But thou Lorde art oure father.

404 1691.  Norris, Pract. Disc., To Rdr. 5. Now we Discourse better, but we live worse.

405 a. 1703.  Burkitt, On N. T., Mark iv. 29. The care and endeavour is ours, but the blessing and success is God’s.

406 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 144, ¶ 8. Her face speaks a Vestal, but her Heart a Messalina.

407 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., x. That pride which I had laid asleep, but not removed.

408 1821.  Shelley, Hellas. Life may change, but it may flie not; Hope may vanish, but can die not.

409 1839.  Thirlwall, Greece, I. 351. The hopes of the Messenians sank, but not their courage.

410   b.  After not only, not merely (sometimes strengthened by the addition of also).

411 1382.  Wyclif, Petition King, &c. in Sel. Wks. III. 511. Nott oonli … medful, butt moost medeful.

412 1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, I. xxiii. (Arb.), 60. It is not only allowable, but also necessary.

413 1682.  Wheler, Journ. Greece, I. 18. We had time not only to see the Town, but the places circumjacent also.

414 1727.  Swift, Gulliver, IV. vii. I was not only endowed with the faculty of speech, but likewise with some rudiments of reason.

415 1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 232. The ally … was not only a Roman Catholic, but a persecutor of the reformed Churches.

416 1866.  Kingsley, Herew., Prel. (1877), 15. Leofric was not merely Lord of Bourne, but Earl of Mercia.

417 1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), III. 29. They not only tell lies but bad lies.

418   ** In a distinct member of a compound sentence (usually after a semicolon or colon); or at the beginning of a following sentence.

419   25.  Introducing a statement of the nature of an exception, objection, limitation, or contrast to what has gone before; sometimes, in its weakest form, merely expressing disconnection, or emphasizing the introduction of a distinct or independent fact, as the minor premiss of a syllogism:

420   However, on the other hand, moreover, yet. In OE. ac, Ger. aber, L. autem.

421 c. 1205.  Lay., 8263. Al hit þuncð him wel idon … bute nele he þe nauere Euelin mid ærhðe bi-tæchen.

422 a. 1240.  Wohunge of ure L., in Cott. Hom., 277. Poure þu wunden was in a beastes cribbe; Bote swa þu eldere wex, swa þu pourere was.

423 a. 1300.  K. Horn, 1113. Alle dronken of þe ber Bute horn alone Nadde þerof no mone.

424 c. 1300.  Beket, 43. Gilbert … seide he was al to hire wille: bote he moste bithenche.

425 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 220. Ȝif ȝe axen ony þing in my name, he schal ȝeve it to ȝow. But we axen in the name of Jesus, whanne we [etc.].

426 c. 1400.  Ywaine & Gaw., 788 (Mätz). Now must I ga, bot drede the noght.

427 1548.  Latimer, Serm. Ploughers (Arb.), 19. But now you wyll aske me whom I cal a prelate.

428 1611.  Bible, John xix. 9. But Iesus gave him no answer.

429 1626.  Donne, Serm., iv. 36. He saw it; but but with the Eye of Hope.

430 1690.  Locke, Hum. Und., III. vii. § 5. All Animals have Sense; But a Dog is an Animal. Here but signifies little more, but that the latter Proposition is join’d to the former, as the Minor of a Syllogism.

431 1724.  Swift, Corr., Wks. 1841, II. 570. We are here preparing for your reception … but whether you approve the manner I can only guess.

432 1876.  J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. i. 414. Fare ye well. But list! sweet youths, where’er you go, beware.

433 1848.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 615. Feversham passed for a good-natured man: but he was a foreigner.

434 Mod.  ‘Get money; honestly, if you can: but, get money!’

435   † 26.  Introducing a reply to a question: cf. the modern unemphatic why. Cf. Fr. mais, Gr. ἀλλά.

436 a. 1300.  Cursor M., 19622. Quat art þou, lauerd, sua vnsen? Bot i hatt iesus nazaren.

437 c. 1320.  Cast. Loue, 809. And whuche beoþ [þe] þreo bayles ȝet … Bote þe inemaste bayle, I wot, Bi-tokneþ hire holy maidenhod.

438   27.  After an interjection or exclamation, as yes! but, aye! but, nay! but, ah! but, I say! but, expressing some degree of opposition, objection or protest; but also colloquially, mere surprise or recognition of something unexpected.

439 1846.  Landor, Wks., I. 347. God forgive me! but I think him as worthy as the best of the saints.

440 Mod.  Ah! but he knows better than to go there. I say! but you had a narrow escape! Eh! but that ’s a queer story! Whew! but I am tired! Faith! but that ’s a poser! Come! but that ’s drawing it rather strong. Excuse me! but your coat is dusty. Beg pardon! but have you found a scarf on the road?

441   IV.  Phrases and casual collocations.

442   28.  But and = but also, and also: see AND. Obs. exc. Sc.

443 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 595. I har a bow, bot and a vyre.

444 1382.  Wyclif, Wisd. xi. 2. Not onli the hurting … but and the looking bi drede slen. But and withoute these with o spirit, thei myȝten ben slayn.

445 c. 1450.  Henryson, Bludy Serk. Meik, bot and debonair.

446 1724.  Ramsay, Tea-t. Misc. (1733), II. 181. A kame but and a kamingstock.

447 1832–53.  Whistle-Binkie (Sc. Songs), Ser. II. 75. In height an ell but an’ a span.

448   † b.  But and, but and if = but if: see AND C.

449 c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1786. But and thow crye, or noyse make.

450 1535.  Coverdale, Matt. v. 13. But and yf the salt haue lost his saltnes.

451 1540.  Hyrde, Vives’ Instr. Chr. Wom. (1592), G ij. But and thou array thy body sumptuously … thou canst not be excused as chast in mind.

452   29.  But for = except for, were it not for: see sense 1.

453 c. 1205.  Lay., 31446. Hit likede wel þan kinge, buten for ane þinge.

454 1592.  Shaks., Ven. & Ad., 504. These mine eyes … But for thy piteous lips no more had seen.

455 1667.  Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 351. Several of the Council … would come but for their attending the King.

456 1885.  Law Rep., XXIX. Ch. Div. 291. But for the concurrent jurisdiction, the decision … would have been the other way.

457   † b.  But for: but because, but since: see FOR.

458 1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. i. (1495), 101. That is noo wonder but for it is selden seen.

459 1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1684), I. 462/1. But for thy shepheards wolden be excused.

460 c. 1593.  Marlowe, Massacre Paris, II. v. But for you know our quarrel is no more.

461   But if: see sense 10 b.

462   But that: see senses 8–9, 13–22, in some of which that is now obs., while in others but that is still the better form, and but is familiar or colloquial.

463   30.  But what often occurs for but that in various senses, and is still dial. and colloq.

464 1662.  H. More, Immort. Soul, 96. We cannot discover any iminediate operation of any kind of soul … but what it first works upon, [etc.].

465 1711.  Medley, No. 24. I don’t know one Politician but what Drunkenness wou’d make a Sot of.

466 1761.  Frances Sheridan, Miss Bidulph, I. 45. There are not many masters of eminence but what have a hundred originals palmed upon them more than ever they painted in their lives. Ibid. (1767), V. 45. There is not a circumstance but what is worthy to be writ in letters of gold.

467 1862.  Trollope, N. Amer., I. 47. Nor am I yet so old but what I can rough it still.

468 1868.  Miss Braddon, Birds of Prey, VI. ii. 313. Not but what his head is as clear as ever it was.

469 1884.  Standard, 22 Dec., 5/2. Not but what the picture has its darker side. [See many modern instances in F. Hall, Mod. English, 262.]

470   D.  quasi-sb. [The adv. used ellipt.] The outer room of a house; see BUT adv. 1 d.

471   E.  quasi-adj. [The adv. used attrib.] Out, outer, exterior; see B. 1 c.

472   F.  quasi-pron. The negative of who, = Lat. quin: see 12 b.

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