But prep., adv. & conj.
1. Except with; unless with; without. [Obs.]
So insolent that he could not go but either spurning equals or trampling on his inferiors. --Fuller.
Touch not the cat but a glove. --Motto of the Mackintoshes.
2. Except; besides; save.
Who can it be, ye gods! but perjured Lycon? --E. Smith.
Note: ☞ In this sense, but is often used with other particles; as, but for, without, had it not been for. “Uncreated but for love divine.”
3. Excepting or excluding the fact that; save that; were it not that; unless; -- elliptical, for but that.
And but my noble Moor is true of mind . . . it were enough to put him to ill thinking. --Shak.
4. Otherwise than that; that not; -- commonly, after a negative, with that.
It cannot be but nature hath some director, of infinite power, to guide her in all her ways. --Hooker.
There is no question but the king of Spain will reform most of the abuses. --Addison.
5. Only; solely; merely.
Observe but how their own principles combat one another. --Milton.
If they kill us, we shall but die. --2 Kings vii. 4.
A formidable man but to his friends. --Dryden.
6. On the contrary; on the other hand; only; yet; still; however; nevertheless; more; further; -- as connective of sentences or clauses of a sentence, in a sense more or less exceptive or adversative; as, the House of Representatives passed the bill, but the Senate dissented; our wants are many, but quite of another kind.
Now abideth faith hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. --1 Cor. xiii. 13.
When pride cometh, then cometh shame; but with the lowly is wisdom. --Prov. xi. 2.
All but. See under All.
But and if, but if; an attempt on the part of King James's translators of the Bible to express the conjunctive and adversative force of the Greek ░.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; . . . the lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him. --Luke xii. 45, 46.
But if, unless. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
But this I read, that but if remedy
Thou her afford, full shortly I her dead shall see. --Spenser.
Syn: -- But, However, Still.
Usage: These conjunctions mark opposition in passing from one thought or topic to another. But marks the opposition with a medium degree of strength; as, this is not winter, but it is almost as cold; he requested my assistance, but I shall not aid him at present. However is weaker, and throws the opposition (as it were) into the background; as, this is not winter; it is, however, almost as cold; he required my assistance; at present, however, I shall not afford him aid. The plan, however, is still under consideration, and may yet be adopted. Still is stronger than but, and marks the opposition more emphatically; as, your arguments are weighty; still they do not convince me. See Except, However.
Note: ☞ “The chief error with but is to use it where and is enough; an error springing from the tendency to use strong words without sufficient occasion.”
If conj.
1. In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; -- introducing a condition or supposition.
Tisiphone, that oft hast heard my prayer,
Assist, if Œdipus deserve thy care. --Pope.
If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. --Matt. iv. 3.
2. Whether; -- in dependent questions.
Uncertain if by augury or chance. --Dryden.
She doubts if two and two make four. --Prior.
As if, But if. See under As, But.
◄ ►