“even” – English explanatory dictionary

adj 1. flat, level ○ The road has a smooth even surface. 2. which does not change ○ They kept up an even pace for miles. ○ The temperature is an even 28° all through the day. 3. equal in a competition ○ At the end of the competition three teams were even with 96 points. □ to get even with someone to try to have your revenge on someone 4. □ to break even to make no profit, but no loss either ○ The company is just breaking even. ■ adv used for showing surprise or making an expression stronger ○ He doesn’t even like strawberries. ○ Even the cleverest businessperson can make mistakes. ○ She’s tall, but her sister is even taller. □ even now in spite of the passing of time ○ Even now, he won’t admit he was wrong. □ even then in spite of what has happened □ even worse worse than before ○ That film was bad, but this one is even worse. □ even if it doesn’t matter if ○ We’ll try and drive there, even if it’s snowing. □ even so in spite of something ○ It was pouring with rain, but even so they decided to go ahead with the village fête. □ even though in spite of the fact that ○ He didn’t take an umbrella, even though it was raining quite hard.

(ev´’n) n. [OE. eve, even, efen, aefen. AS. aefen; akin to OS. aband, OFries, avend, D. avond, OHG. aband, Icel. aptan, Sw. afton, Dan. aften; of unknown origin. Cf. Eve, Evening.] Evening. See Eve, n. 1. [Poetic.] Shak.

a. [AS. efen. efn; akin to OS. eban, D. even, OHG. eban, G. efen, Icel. jafn, Dan. jevn, Sw. jämn, Goth. ibns. Cf. Anent, Ebb.]
1. Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action; as even ground; an even speed; an even course of conduct.
2. Equable; not easily ruffed or disturbed; calm; uniformly self-possessed; as an even temper.
3. Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit. “And shall lay thee even with the ground.” Luke xix. 44.
4. Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both side; owing nothing on either side; — said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as our accounts are even; an even bargain. “To make the even truth in pleasure flow.” Shak.
5. Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure. ´I know my life so even.´ Shak.
6. Associate; fellow; of the same condition. [Obs.] ´His even servant.´ Wyclif (Matt. xviii. 29).
7. Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; — said of numbers; as 4 and 10 are even numbers. “Whether the number of the stars is even or odd.” Jer. Taylor. On even ground, with equal advantage. - - On even keel (Naut.), in a level or horizontal position.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. Evened p. pr. & vb. n. Evening ]
1. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth. “His temple Xerxes evened with the soil.” Sir. W. Raleigh. “It will even all inequalities” Evelyn.
2. To equal. [Obs.] ´To even him in valor.´ Fuller.
3. To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits. Shak.
4. To set right; to complete.
5. To act up to; to keep pace with. Shak.

v. i. To be equal. [Obs.] R. Carew.