So \So\, adv. [OE. so, sa, swa, AS. sw[=a]; akin to OFries,
s[=a], s?, D. zoo, OS. & OHG. s?, G. so, Icel. sv[=a], sv?,
svo, so, Sw. s?, Dan. saa, Goth. swa so, sw? as; cf. L. suus
one's own, Skr. sva one's own, one's self. [root]192. Cf. As,
Custom, Ethic, Idiom, Such.]
1. In that manner or degree; as, indicated (in any way), or
as implied, or as supposed to be known.
Why is his chariot so long in coming? --Judges v.
28.
2. In like manner or degree; in the same way; thus; for like
reason; whith equal reason; -- used correlatively,
following as, to denote comparison or resemblance;
sometimes, also, following inasmuch as.
As a war should be undertaken upon a just motive, so
a prince ought to consider the condition he is in.
--Swift.
3. In such manner; to such degree; -- used correlatively with
as or that following; as, he was so fortunate as to
escape.
I viewed in may mind, so far as I was able, the
beginning and progress of a rising world. --T.
Burnet.
He is very much in Sir Roger's esteem, so that he
lives in the family rather as a relation than
dependent. --Addison.
4. Very; in a high degree; that is, in such a degree as can
not well be expressed; as, he is so good; he planned so
wisely.
5. In the same manner; as has been stated or suggested; in
this or that condition or state; under these
circumstances; in this way; -- with reflex reference to
something just asserted or implied; used also with the
verb to be, as a predicate.
Use him [your tutor] with great respect yourself,
and cause all your family to do so too. --Locke.
It concerns every man, with the greatest
seriousness, to inquire into those matters, whether
they be so or not. --Tillotson.
He is Sir Robert's son, and so art thou. --Shak.
6. The case being such; therefore; on this account; for this
reason; on these terms; -- used both as an adverb and a
conjuction.
God makes him in his own image an intellectual
creature, and so capable of dominion. --Locke.
Here, then, exchange we mutually forgiveness; So may
the guilt of all my broken vows, My perjuries to
thee, be all forgotten. --Rowe.
7. It is well; let it be as it is, or let it come to pass; --
used to express assent.
And when 't is writ, for my sake read it over, And
if it please you, so; if not, why, so. --Shak.
There is Percy; if your father will do me any honor,
so; if not, let him kill the next Percy himself.
--Shak.
8. Well; the fact being as stated; -- used as an expletive;
as, so the work is done, is it?
9. Is it thus? do you mean what you say? -- with an upward
tone; as, do you say he refuses? So? [Colloq.]
10. About the number, time, or quantity specified;
thereabouts; more or less; as, I will spend a week or so
in the country; I have read only a page or so.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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