same

same [sām]

adj.

[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]

1. being the very one; identical

2. alike in kind, quality, amount, or degree; corresponding: often prefixed to nouns or past participles to form adjectives

3. unchanged; not different [to look the same as ever]

4. before-mentioned; just spoken of: Usually used with the

pron.

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

adv.

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

SYN.- SAME, in one sense, agrees with SELFSAME and VERY in implying that what is referred to is one thing and not two or more distinct things [that is the same, or selfsame or very, house we once lived in ] and, in another, implies reference to things that are really distinct but without any significant difference in kind, appearance, amount, etc. [I eat the same food every day ]; IDENTICAL, in one sense, also expresses the first idea [this is the identical bed where he slept ] and, in another, implies exact correspondence in all details, as of quality, appearance, etc. [the signatures are identical]; EQUAL implies the absence of any difference in quantity, size, value, degree, etc. [equal weights, an equal advantage ]; EQUIVALENT implies of things that they amount to the same thing in value, force, meaning, etc. [$5 or its equivalent in merchandise ] -ANT. DIFFERENT