-some
-some (-sōm)
A combining form or suffix from Greek sw^ma (gen. sw`matos) the body; as in merosome, a body segment; cephalosome, etc.
-some (-sum) , adjective
[Anglo-Saxon -sum; akin to German & Old High German -sam, Icelandic samr, Gothic lustusams longed for. See Same, a., and compare Some, a.]
An adjective suffix having primarily the sense of like or same, and indicating a considerable degree of the thing or quality denoted in the first part of the compound; as in mettlesome, full of mettle or spirit; gladsome, full of gladness; winsome, blithesome, etc.
Some (sum) , adjective
[Old English som, sum, Anglo-Saxon sum; akin to Old Saxon, OFries., & Old High German sum, OD. som, Dutch sommig, Icelandic sumr, Danish somme (pl.), Swedish somlige (pl.), Gothic sums, and English same. r191. See Same, a., and compare -some.]
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 or number; 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.
2.
A certain; one; -- indicating a person, thing, event, etc., as not known individually, or designated more specifically; as, some man, that is, some one man.
Some brighter clime.
Some man praiseth his neighbor by a wicked intent.
Most gentlemen of property, at some period or other of their lives, are ambitious of representing their county in Parliament.
3.
Not much; a little; moderate; as, the censure was to some extent just.
4.
About; near; more or less; -- used commonly with numerals, but formerly also with a singular substantive of time or distance; as, a village of some eighty houses; some two or three persons; some hour hence. — Shakespeare
The number slain on the rebel's part were some two thousand.
5.
Considerable in number or quantity.
Bore us some leagues to sea.
On its outer point, some miles away.
The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry.
6.
Certain; those of one part or portion; -- in distinction from other or others; as, some men believe one thing, and others another.
Some [seeds] fell among thorns;... but other fell into good ground.
7.
A part; a portion; -- used pronominally, and followed sometimes by of; as, some of our provisions.
Your edicts some reclaim from sins,
But most your life and blest example wins.
Some to the shores do fly,
Some to the woods, or whither fear advised.
Some in his bed, some in the deep sea.
Collocations (2)
All and some , one and all. See under All, adv. [Obsolete]
Some... some , one part... another part; these... those; -- used distributively.
The illiterate in the United States and Scotland 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, etc.
Formerly used also of single persons or things: this one... that one; one... another.