Ēv'er, adv.
adv. [A-S. æfre, æfer, from æ, age, eternity, dat. sing. æva, et acc. sing. æ, always, Goth. aiws, Icel. æfi, Lat. ævum, Gr. αἰών.]
Sense 1. At any time; at any period or point of time. No man ever yet hated his own flesh. Eph. v. 29.
Sense 2. At all times; always; continually; forever; eternally. He shall ever love, and always be The subject of my scorn and cruelty. Dryden.
Sense 3. Without cessation or interruption; to the end; continually. Ever and anon, at one time and another; now and then.—For ever, eternally. See FOREVER.—For ever and a day, everlastingly; eternally; forever. [Colloq.] She [Fortune] soon wheeled away, with scornful laughter, out of sight for ever and a day. Prof. Wilson.
This word is used for never, but very improperly. See NEVER. It is sometimes used for emphasis; as, as soon as ever, and is often contracted into e'er.—Ever so, in whatever degree. And all the question, wrangle e'er so long, Is only this, if God has placed him wrong. Pope.