Word Study
anything
CIDE DICTIONARY
anything, n.
- Any object, act, state, event, or fact whatever; thing of any kind; something or other; aught; as, I would not do it for anything. [1913 Webster]"Did you ever know of anything so unlucky?" [1913 Webster]"They do not know that anything is amiss with them." [1913 Webster]
- Expressing an indefinite comparison; -- with as or like. [1913 Webster]" Any thing, written as two words, is now commonly used in contradistinction to any person or anybody. Formerly it was also separated when used in the wider sense. “Necessity drove them to undertake any thing and venture any thing.”" De Foe. [1913 Webster]"I fear your girl will grow as proud as anything." [1913 Webster]
anything, adv.
In any measure; anywise; at all. [1913 Webster]
"Mine old good will and hearty affection towards you is not . . . anything at all quailed." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
anything, pron.
1 a thing, no matter which.
2 a thing of any kind.
3 whatever thing is chosen.
1 a thing, no matter which.
2 a thing of any kind.
3 whatever thing is chosen.
Idiom
anything but not at all (was anything but honest). like anything colloq. with great vigour, intensity, etc.
For further exploring for "anything" in Webster Dictionary Online