Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Some?

\-some\ (-s[=o]m). A combining form or suffix from Gr. sw^ma (gen. sw`matos) the body; as in merosome, a body segment; cephalosome, etc.
\-some\ (-s[u^]m). [AS. -sum; akin to G. & OHG. -sam, Icel. samr, Goth. lustusams longed for. See {Same}, a., and cf. {Some}, a.] An adjective suffix having primarily the sense of like or same, and indicating a considerable degree of the thing or quality denoted in the first part of the compound; as in mettlesome, full of mettle or spirit; gladsome, full of gladness; winsome, blithesome, etc.
\Some\ (s[u^]m), a. [OE. som, sum, AS. sum; akin to OS., OFries., & OHG. sum, OD. som, D. sommig, Icel. sumr, Dan. somme (pl.), Sw. somlige (pl.), Goth. sums, and E. same. [root]191. See {Same}, a., and cf. {-some}.] 1. Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number which is not stated; -- used to express an indefinite quantity or number; as, some wine; some water; some persons. Used also pronominally; as, I have some. Some theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society. --Blackstone. 2. A certain; one; -- indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man. ``Some brighter clime.'' --Mrs. Barbauld. Some man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent. --Chaucer. Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament. --Blackstone. 3. Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just. 4. About; near; more or less; -- used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some hour hence.