as

Etymology 1

From Middle English as, als(a), alswa, from Old English eallswā (“just so; as”), thus representing a reduced form of also. Compare German Low German as, German als, Dutch als.

adv

1. To such an extent or degree; to the same extent or degree.
   You’re not as tall as I am.
   It's not as well made, but it's twice as expensive.
   She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. His wooing had been brief but incisive. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
2. Considered to be, in relation to something else; in the relation (specified).
   1865, The Act of Suicide as Distinct from the Crime of Self-Murder: A Sermon:
   1937, Tobias Matthay, On Colouring as Distinct from Tone-inflection: A Lecture, London: Oxford University Press:
3. (dated) For example; for instance. (Compare such as.)
   Likewise many other indulgences were by virtue hereof granted; as, to have a portatile altar, to receive the Sacrament privately; […] 1820, John Strype, The Life of the Learned Sir Thomas Smith, page 48
   First; original; indigenous; primitive; native; as, the aboriginal tribes of America. 1913, “Aboriginal”, in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

conj

1. In the (same) way or manner that; to the (same) degree that.
   1. Used after so or as to introduce a comparison.
      She's twice as strong as I was two years ago.
      It's not so complicated as I expected.
   2. Used to introduce a result: with the result that it is.
      … that the Board of Regents had fallen into disrepute; that intelligent men inquired what the board was; he said that it was a quiet body, and kept out of the newspapers — and so quiet as to lead many to suppose tho board had ceased to exist. 1868, Proceedings and Debates of the [New York] Constitutional Convention Held in 1867 and 1868 in the City of Albany, page 2853
      It was a talent he had developed; he could actually be so quiet as to be practically invisible. In class, he was rarely called upon to answer any questions. In the crowded hallways, he could slip in and out without offending any of the local bullies ... 2006, Eric Manasse, The Twenty-First Man, iUniverse, page 7
      Under most circumstances, it will be possible to draw a distinction sufficiently clear as to allow an unambiguous allocation to one or other category. 2011, Herwig C. H. Hofmann, Gerard C. Rowe, Alexander H. Türk, Administrative Law and Policy of the European Union, Oxford University Press, page 507
   3. Expressing concession: though.
      1843 (first published), Thomas Babington Macaulay, Essays We wish, however, to avail ourselves of the interest, transient as it may be, which this work has excited.
      If this happens, be patient and, difficult as it may be, try not to take these reactions personally. 2009, Matthew Friedman, Laurie B. Slone, J Friedman, After the War Zone
2. At the time that; during the time when:
   1. At the same instant or moment that: when.
      As I came in, she fled.
   2. At the same time that, during the same time when: while.
      He sleeps as the rain falls.
   3. Varying through time in the same proportion that.
      As my fear grew, so did my legs become heavy.
      As she grew older, she grew wiser.
3. Being that, considering that, because, since.
   As it’s too late, I quit.
4. (dated) Introducing a comparison with a hypothetical state (+ subjunctive, or with the verb elided): as though, as if.
   I feel securely fixed on the careering chair, and with the momentum gained I steer myself as on skis to the guard and come to a stop with a happy little flourish. 1990, Andrew Fetler, “The third count”, in Triquarterly, number Spring
   They think they are romantic, tragic figures, exiled as on Elba. They picture themselves as enlightened barons bringing civilization, opportunity, and kindness to the brown-skinned. 1992/1993 Winter, Katherine Weissman, “The Divorce Gang”, in Ploughshares, volume 18, number 4, page 202
   Newspapers and magazines would load their graphics, and you could doodle as on the Sony Reader Daily Edition. January 30, 2011, Kyle Wagner, “E-readers lighten a traveler's load But choosing the right unit means weighing features, cost, ease of use”, in Denver Post, page Travel 1
5. (law) used before a preposition to clarify that the prepositional phrase restricts the meaning of the sentence; specifically.
   The case is dismissed as between Jones and Smith. (makes explicit that the case is continued between other parties to the litigation)
   The case is dismissed as against Smith. (makes explicit that it is continued against some other defendant)
6. Functioning as a relative conjunction, and sometimes like a relative pronoun: that, which, who. (See usage notes.)
   He had the same problem as she did getting the lock open.
   “If I had, if I could hold me head up with the better folk, perhaps I'd think again, but I don't reckon as that's very likely now.” 2016, Alan Moore, Jerusalem, Liveright, published 2016, page 99
7. (rare, now England, Midland US and Southern US, possibly obsolete) Than.
   Darkness itself is no more opposite to light as their actions were diametricall to their words. 1660, James Howell, Parly of Beasts, page 48

prep

1. Introducing a basis of comparison, with an object in the objective case.
   You are not as tall as my sister.
   They are big as houses.
   She was like a Beardsley Salome, he had said. And indeed she had the narrow eyes and the high cheekbone of that creature, and as nearly the sinuosity as is compatible with human symmetry. 1922, Ben Travers, chapter 1, in A Cuckoo in the Nest
2. In the role of.
   What is your opinion as a parent?
   He was never seen as the boss, but rather as a friend.
   Directed by Howard Hawks, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starred Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei and Jane Russell as Dorothy. 2000, Tom Pendergast, Sara Pendergast, St. James encyclopedia of popular culture, volume 2, page 223
   Not long ago, it was difficult to produce photographs of tiny creatures with every part in focus.[…]A photo processing technique called focus stacking has changed that. Developed as a tool to electronically combine the sharpest bits of multiple digital images, focus stacking is a boon to biologists seeking full focus on a micron scale. 2013 July-August, Catherine Clabby, “Focus on Everything”, in American Scientist
3. by way of
   I bought you a new toy as a special treat.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Latin as. Doublet of ace.

noun

1. (unit of weight) A libra.
2. (numismatics) Any of several coins of Rome, coined in bronze or later copper; or the equivalent value.

Etymology 3

a + -s.

noun

1. (rare) Alternative form of a's.

Etymology 4

Shortening of as hell or as fuck or similar.

adv

1. (New Zealand, slang) Used to intensify an adjective; very much; extremely
   sweet as
   It also appears in other positions in the sentence: his big as car could hardly fit. It's pretty scratched, and dented as. May 17 2021, “Language Matters: Sweet as is Kiwi as”, in Stuff