any

a. & pron. [ OE. æni&yogh_;, æni, eni, ani, oni, AS. &aemacr_;nig, fr. ān one. It is akin to OS. ēnig, OHG. einic, G. einig, D. eenig. See One. ] 1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or whatsoever it may be. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Any is often used in denying or asserting without limitation; as, this thing ought not be done at any time; I ask any one to answer my question. [ 1913 Webster ]

No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son. Matt. xi. 27. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Some, of whatever kind, quantity, or number; as, are there any witnesses present? are there any other houses like it? “Who will show us any good?” Ps. iv. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

It is often used, either in the singular or the plural, as a pronoun, the person or thing being understood; anybody; anyone; (pl.) any persons. [ 1913 Webster ]

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it shall be given him. Jas. i. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

That if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Acts ix. 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

At any rate,
In any case, whatever may be the state of affairs; anyhow. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Any one out of an indefinite number of persons; anyone; any person. [ 1913 Webster ]

His Majesty could not keep any secret from anybody. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A person of consideration or standing. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

All the men belonged exclusively to the mechanical and shopkeeping classes, and there was not a single banker or anybody in the list. Lond. Sat. Rev. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In any way or manner whatever; at any rate; in any event. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anyhow, it must be acknowledged to be not a simple selforiginated error. J. H. Newman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anyhow, the languages of the two nations were closely allied. E. A. Freeman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One taken at random rather than by selection; anybody. [ Commonly written as two words. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatever; thing of any kind; something or other; aught; as, I would not do it for anything. [ 1913 Webster ]

Did you ever know of anything so unlucky? A. Trollope. [ 1913 Webster ]

They do not know that anything is amiss with them. W. G. Sumner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Expressing an indefinite comparison; -- with as or like. [ Colloq. or Lowx ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I fear your girl will grow as proud as anything. Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Any thing, written as two words, is now commonly used in contradistinction to any person or anybody. Formerly it was also separated when used in the wider sense. “Necessity drove them to undertake any thing and venture any thing.” De Foe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anything but, not at all or in any respect. “The battle was a rare one, and the victory anything but secure.” Hawthorne. --
Anything like, in any respect; at all; as, I can not give anything like a fair sketch of his trials. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In any measure; anywise; at all. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mine old good will and hearty affection towards you is not . . . anything at all quailed. Robynson (More's Utopia). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who holds to no particular creed or dogma. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } adv. Anywise; at all. Tennyson. Southey. [ 1913 Webster ]