both Meaning, Definition & Usage

Both adjective or pronoun

Etymology

OE. bothe, bae, fr. Icel. bair; akin to Dan. baade, Sw. båda, Goth. bajs, OHG. beid, bd, G. & D. beide, also AS. begen, ba, b, Goth. bai, and Gr. , L. ambo, Lith. abà, OSlav. oba, Skr. ubha. Cf. Amb-.

Definitions

1. The one and the other; the two; the pair, without exception of either. ✍ It is generally used adjectively with nouns; as, both horses ran away; but with pronouns, and often with nous, it is used substantively, and followed by of. It frequently stands as a pronoun.

   She alone is heir to both of us. Shak.

   Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. Gen. xxi. 27.

   He will not bear the loss of his rank, because he can bear the loss of his estate; but he will bear both, because he is prepared for both. Bolingbroke.

   It is often used in apposition with nouns or pronouns.

   Thy weal and woe are both of them extremes. Shak.

   This said, they both betook them several ways. Milton.

   Both now always precedes any other attributive words; as, both their armies; both our eyes. Both of is used before pronouns in the objective case; as, both of us, them, whom, etc.; but before substantives its used is colloquial, both (without of) being the preferred form; as, both the brothers.

Both conjunction

Definitions

1. As well; not only; equally. Both precedes the first of two coördinate words or phrases, and is followed by and before the other, both . . . and . . . ; as well the one as the other; not only this, but also that; equally the former and the latter. It is also sometimes followed by more than two coördinate words, connected by and expressed or understood.

   To judge both quick and dead. Milton.

   A masterpiece both for argument and style. Goldsmith.

   To whom bothe heven and erthe and see is sene. Chaucer.

   Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound. Goldsmith.

   He prayeth well who loveth well Both man and bird and beast. Coleridge.