2 entries under this word
[A-S. sum, O. & N. H. Ger. sam; Goth. sama, like, the same.] A termination of certain adjectives, as in handsome, mettlesome, blithesome, fulsome, lonesome, gladsome, gamesome. In these words, some has primarily the sense of like or same, and, in usage, it indicates a considerable degree of the thing or quantity; as, mettlesome, full of mettle or spirit; gladsome, very glad or joyous.
(sŭm), a. [A-S., O. Sax., O. Fries., & O. H. Ger. sum, O. D. som, N. D. sommig, Goth. sums, Icel. sumr, Dan. somme, pl., Sw. somlige, pl., Dan. & Sw. som, who, which.]
Sense 1. Consisting of a greater or less portion or sum; composed of a quantity or number, which is not stated; — used to express an indefinite quantity; as, some wine; some water; some persons; — used also pronominally; as, I have some.
Some theoretical writers allege that there was a time when there was no such thing as society. Blackstone.
Sense 2. A certain; — indicating a person, thing, event, &c., as not known individually or more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man.
Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament. Blackstone.
Sense 3. Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just.
Sense 4. About; near; more or less; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some seventy miles distant.
Sense 5. Considerable in number or quantity. “Bore us some leagues to sea.” Shak.
On its outer point, some miles away, The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry. Longfellow.
Sense 6. Certain; those of one part or portion; — in distinction from others; as, some men believe one thing, and others another.
Sense 7. A part; a portion; — used pronominally, and followed in certain cases by of; as, we consumed some of our provisions.
Some to the shores do fly, Some to the woods. Daniel.
Your edicts some reclaim from sins, But most your life and blest example wins. Dryden.
All and some, one and all; all and each. [Obs.]
☞ The illiterate in the United States often use some as an adverb, instead of somewhat, or an equivalent expression; as, I am some tired; he is some better; it rains some, &c. This blunder is rarely, if ever, heard in England; and is a decided Americanism. “He is somewhat arrogant at his first entrance, and too inquisitive through the whole; yet these imperfections hinder not our compassion.” Dryden. “Yet for a dance they seemed somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps for joy of offered peace.” Milton.