DICT.TW Dictionary Taiwan

 as it were
 可以說,可謂;似乎

 as adv. & conj.
 1. Denoting equality or likeness in kind, degree, or manner; like; similar to; in the same manner with or in which; in accordance with; in proportion to; to the extent or degree in which or to which; equally; no less than; as, ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil; you will reap as you sow; do as you are bidden.
    His spiritual attendants adjured him, as he loved his soul, to emancipate his brethren.   --Macaulay.
 Note: ☞ As is often preceded by one of the antecedent or correlative words such, same, so, or as, in expressing an equality or comparison; as, give us such things as you please, and so long as you please, or as long as you please; he is not so brave as Cato; she is as amiable as she is handsome; come as quickly as possible. “Bees appear fortunately to prefer the same colors as we do.” --Lubbock. As, in a preceding part of a sentence, has such or so to answer correlatively to it; as with the people, so with the priest.
 2. In the idea, character, or condition of, -- limiting the view to certain attributes or relations; as, virtue considered as virtue; this actor will appear as Hamlet.
    The beggar is greater as a man, than is the man merely as a king.   --Dewey.
 3. While; during or at the same time that; when; as, he trembled as he spoke.
    As I return I will fetch off these justices.   --Shak.
 4. Because; since; it being the case that.
    As the population of Scotland had been generally trained to arms . . . they were not indifferently prepared.   --Sir W. Scott.
 [See Synonym under Because.]
 5. Expressing concession. (Often approaching though in meaning).
    We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.   --Macaulay.
 6. That, introducing or expressing a result or consequence, after the correlatives so and such. [Obs.]
    I can place thee in such abject state, as help shall never find thee.   --Rowe.
 So as, so that. [Obs.]
    The relations are so uncertain as they require a great deal of examination.   --Bacon.
 7. As if; as though. [Obs. or Poetic]
    He lies, as he his bliss did know.   --Waller.
 8. For instance; by way of example; thus; -- used to introduce illustrative phrases, sentences, or citations.
 9. Than. [Obs. & R.]
    The king was not more forward to bestow favors on them as they free to deal affronts to others their superiors.   --Fuller.
 10. Expressing a wish. [Obs.] “As have,”
 Note: i. e., may he have.
 As . . as. See So . . as, under So.
 As far as, to the extent or degree. “As far as can be ascertained.” --Macaulay.
 As far forth as, as far as.  [Obs.] --Chaucer.
 As for, or  As to, in regard to; with respect to.
 As good as, not less than; not falling short of.
 As good as one's word, faithful to a promise.
 As if, or As though, of the same kind, or in the same condition or manner, that it would be if.
 As it were (as if it were), a qualifying phrase used to apologize for or to relieve some expression which might be regarded as inappropriate or incongruous; in a manner.
 As now, just now. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
 As swythe, as quickly as possible. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
 As well, also; too; besides. --Addison.
 As well as, equally with, no less than.  “I have understanding as well as you.” --Job xii. 3.
 As yet, until now; up to or at the present time; still; now.
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 as it were
      adv : as if it were really so; "she lives here, as it were" [syn:
            so to speak]