besides Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb making an additional point; anyway; besides, we can't afford it"
    in any case.
    • I don't want to go to a restaurant
    • she couldn't shelter behind him all the time and in any case he wasn't always with her
  2. adverb in addition
    also; as well; too; likewise.
    • he has a Mercedes, too

WordNet

Be*sides", Be*side" adverb (Also<
  • Besides
  • Beside
)
Etymology
OE. Same as beside, prep.; the ending -s is an adverbial one, prop. a genitive sign.
Definitions
  1. On one side. Obs. Chaucer. Shak.
  2. More than that; over and above; not included in the number, or in what has been mentioned; moreover; in addition.
    The men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides ? Gen. xix. 12.
    To all beside, as much an empty shade, An Eugene living, as a Cæsar dead. Pope.
    ✍ These sentences may be considered as elliptical.
Be*sides preposition
Definitions
  1. Over and above; separate or distinct from; in addition to; other than; else than. See Beside, prep., 3, and Syn. under Beside.
    Besides your cheer, you shall have sport. Shak.

Webster 1913