nɔt adv. expressing
negation, esp.: 1 (also n't joined to a preceding verb)
following an
auxiliary verb or be or (in a question)
the subject of
such a verb (I
cannot say;
she isn't
there; didn't
you tell me?; am I not right?; aren't we smart?). °Use
with other verbs is
now archaic (I
know not;
fear not),
except with participles
and infinitives (not
knowing, I cannot say; we asked
them not to come). 2 used elliptically
for a
negative sentence or verb or
phrase (Is she coming? -I
hope not; Do you
want it? -Certainly not!). 3 used to express the negative of other words (not a
single one was left; Are
they pleased? Not they; he is not my
cousin, but my nephew). ønot at
all (in
polite reply to thanks) there is no
need for thanks. not but
what archaic 1 all the
same;
nevertheless (I cannot do
it; not but what a stronger
man might). 2 not such ... or so ...
that ... not (not such a fool but what he can see it). not
half see HALF. not
least with
considerable importance, notably. not
much see MUCH. not
quite 1
almost (am not quite there). 2 noticeably not (not quite proper). not that (foll. by clause) it is not to be inferred that (if he
said so not that he
ever did he lied). not a
thing nothing at all. not
very see VERY. [ME contr. of NOUGHT]
