EVERY NOW AND THEN • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Every now and then

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/ˈɛvəri naʊ ənd ðɛn/ Listen

adjective

Every adj., pron.

All the parts which compose a whole collection or aggregate number, considered in their individuality, all taken separately one by one, out of an indefinite number. "Every man at his best state is altogether vanity." "Every door and window was adorned with wreaths of flowers."

Every one. Cf. Each. (Obs.) "Every of your wishes." "Daily occasions given to every of us."

Every each, every one. (Obs.) "Every each of them hath some vices."

Every now and then, at short intervals; occasionally; repeatedly; frequently. (Colloq.) Note: Every may, by way of emphasis, precede the article the with a superlative adjective; as, every, the least variation.

Synonyms: Every, Each, Any. Any denotes one, or some, taken indifferently from the individuals which compose a class. Every differs from each in giving less prominence to the selection of the individual. Each relates to two or more individuals of a class. It refers definitely to every one of them, denoting that they are considered separately, one by one, all being included; as, each soldier was receiving a dollar per day. Every relates to more than two and brings into greater prominence the notion that not one of all considered is excepted; as, every soldier was on service, except the cavalry, that is, all the soldiers, etc. "In each division there were four pentecosties, in every pentecosty four enomoties, and of each enomoty there fought in the front rank four (soldiers)." "If society is to be kept together and the children of Adam to be saved from setting up each for himself with every one else his foe."

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Etymology of 'Every now and then'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Every now and then" Quotes from Famous Books

... a Fortnight she was called upon to Travel again, with her child in her Arms: every now and then, a whole day together without the least Morsel of any Food, and when she had any, she fed only on Ground-nuts and Wild-onions, and Lilly-roots. By the last of May, they arrived at Cowefick, where they planted their Corn; wherein she was put into a hard Task, so that the Child ...

— Woman's Life in Colonial Days • Carl Holliday

... refreshed after their hearty repast but they were still very tired and sleepy. They strove to converse together and keep awake but the fatigue of the day, the heavy meal, and the warmth of the fire proved too much for them and every now and then one would ...

— The Boy Chums in the Forest - or Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades • Wilmer M. Ely

... that it may have done so. Trevelyan, as he had been speaking, had walked about the room, going from one extremity to the other with hurried steps, gesticulating with his arms, and every now and then pushing back with his hands the long hair from off his forehead. Mr. Glascock was in truth very much disturbed. He had come there with an express object; but, whenever he mentioned the child, the father became almost rabid in his wrath. "I have done very well, thank you," said Mr. Glascock. ...

— He Knew He Was Right • Anthony Trollope

... way when I was telling my story," said Snarlie, the tiger. "Every now and then I had to stop when the circus moved ...

— Umboo, the Elephant • Howard R. Garis

... person most concerned," presents the Hanoverian Elector as making very little of the invasion, answering all the alarms of his ministers by "Pho, don't talk to me of that stuff." Walpole's spirits has risen within the week, for he is much amused by the story that "every now and then a Scotchman comes and pulls the Boy by the sleeve, 'Preence, here is another mon taken,' then, with all the dignity in the world, the Boy hopes nobody was ...

— A History of the Four Georges, Volume II (of 4) • Justin McCarthy

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