adj.

early 13c., contraction of Old English æfre ælc "each of a group," literally "ever each" (Chaucer's everich), from each with ever added for emphasis, as the word is still felt to need emphasis (e.g. Modern English every last ..., every single ..., etc.).

Cf. everybody, everything, etc. The word everywhen is attested from 1843 but never caught on; neither did everyhow (1837). Slang phrase every Tom, Dick, and Harry dates from at least 1734, from common English given names.

In all directions, as in Papers were blowing every which way. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

In addition to the idioms beginning with every

• every bit
• every cloud has a silver lining
• every dog has its day
• every inch
• every last one
• every little bit helps
• every man for himself
• every man has his price
• every minute counts
• every nook and cranny
• every now and then
• every other
• every single one
• every so often
• every time one turns around
• every Tom, Dick, and Harry
• every which way

also see:

• at every turn
• each and every
• finger in the (every) pie
• living soul, every
• nook and cranny, every