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same

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The definition of same is a person or thing which is equal or identical to another.

(adjective)

An example of same is a pair of earrings, meaning both earrings are the same.
An example of same is identical twins, meaning both people look the same.
An example of same is a person spoken about and then spoken about again later, meaning both people are the same person.

See same in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

being the very one; identical
alike in kind, quality, amount, or degree; corresponding: often prefixed to nouns or past participles to form adjectives
unchanged; not different: to look the same as ever
before-mentioned; just spoken of

Origin: ME < ON samr, akin to Goth sama, OHG samo, OE same < IE *som-, var. of base *sem-, one, together, with > Sans saṃ, Gr homōs, alike, L simul, at the same time, similis, like

pronoun

the same person or thing: usually with the, this, or that

adverb

in the same way; in like manner: usually with the

See same in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Being the very one; identical: the same boat we rented before.
Similar in kind, quality, quantity, or degree.
Conforming in every detail: according to the same rules as before.
Being the one previously mentioned or indicated; aforesaid.

adverb

In the same way: The words sale and sail are pronounced the same.

pron.

Someone or something identical with another.
Someone or something previously mentioned or described.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old Norse samr; see sem-¹ in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: The expressions same and the same are sometimes used in place of pronouns such as it or one, as in When you have filled out the form, please remit same to this office. As this example suggests, the usage is associated chiefly with business and legal language, and some critics have suggested that it should be reserved for such contexts. But though the usage often does sound stilted, it occurs with some frequency in informal writing, particularly in the phrase lack of same, as in It is a question of money, or lack of same.

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