DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 at any rate
 無論如何,至少

 A·ny a. & pron.
 1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or whatsoever it may be.
 Note: ☞ Any is often used in denying or asserting without limitation; as, this thing ought not be done at any time; I ask any one to answer my question.
    No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son.   --Matt. xi. 27.
 2. Some, of whatever kind, quantity, or number; as, are there any witnesses present? are there any other houses like it?   “Who will show us any good?”
 Note: It is often used, either in the singular or the plural, as a pronoun, the person or thing being understood; anybody; anyone; (pl.) any persons.
    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it shall be given him.   --Jas. i. 5.
    That if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.   --Acts ix. 2.
 At any rate, In any case, whatever may be the state of affairs; anyhow.

 at any rate
      adv 1: used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a
             previous statement; "Anyhow, he is dead now"; "I think
             they're asleep; anyhow, they're quiet"; "I don't know
             what happened to it; anyway, it's gone"; "anyway,
             there is another factor to consider"; "I don't know
             how it started; in any case, there was a brief
             scuffle"; "in any event, the government faced a
             serious protest"; "but at any rate he got a knighthood
             for it" [syn: anyhow, anyway, in any case, in
             any event]
      2: if nothing else (`leastwise' is informal and `leastways' is
         colloquial); "at least he survived"; "they felt--at any
         rate Jim felt--relieved though still wary"; "the influence
         of economists--or at any rate of economics--is
         far-reaching" [syn: at least, leastways, leastwise]