adj., adv., & v.
—adj. (evener, evenest)
1 level; flat and smooth.
2 a uniform in quality; constant. b equal in number or amount or value etc. c equally balanced.
3 (usu. foll. by with) in the same plane or line.
4 (of a person's temper etc.) equable, calm.
5 a (of a number such as 4, 6) divisible by two without a remainder. b bearing such a number (no parking on even dates). c not involving fractions; exact (in even dozens).
—adv.
1 used to invite comparison of the stated assertion, negation, etc., with an implied one that is less strong or remarkable (never even opened
Etymology: let alone read the letter; does he even suspect
Etymology: not to say realize the danger?; ran even faster
Etymology: not just as fast as before ; even if my watch is right we shall be late
Etymology: later if it is slow ).
2 used to introduce an extreme case (even you must realize it; it might even cost pound100).
—v.
1 tr. & intr. (often foll. by up) make or become even.
2 tr. (often foll. by to) archaic treat as equal or comparable.
Phrases and idioms:
even as at the very moment that. even break colloq. an equal chance. even chance an equal chance of success or failure. even money
1 betting odds offering the gambler the chance of winning the amount he or she staked.
2 equally likely to happen or not (it's even money he'll fail to arrive).
even now
1 now as well as before.
2 at this very moment.
even so
1 notwithstanding that; nevertheless.
2 quite so.
3 in that case as well as in others. get (or be) even with have one's revenge on. of even date Law & Commerce of the same date.
on an even keel
1 (of a ship or aircraft) not listing.
2 (of a plan or person) untroubled.
Derivatives:
evenly adv. evenness n.
Etymology: OE efen, efne
2.
n. poet. evening.
Etymology: OE aeligfen
Useful english dictionary. 2012.