Any, a. & pron.
Etymology: [OE. æni, æni, eni, ani, oni, AS. ænig, fr. an one. It is akin to OS. enig, OHG. einic, G. einig, D. eenig. See One.]
1. One indifferently, out of an indefinite number; one indefinitely, whosoever or whatsoever it may be.
Note: Any is often used in denying or asserting without limitation; as, this thing ought not be done at any time; I ask any one to answer my question. No man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son. Matt. xi. 27.
2. Some, of whatever kind, quantity, or number; as, are there any witnesses present are there any other houses like it "Who will show us any good" Ps. iv. 6.
Note: It is often used, either in the singular or the plural, as a pronoun, the person or thing being understood; anybody; anyone; (pl.) any persons. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, . . . and it shall be given him. Jas. i. 5. That if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Acts ix. 2. At any rate, In any case, whatever may be the state of affairs; anyhow.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Any, adv.
To any extent; in any degree; at all. You are not to go loose any longer. Shak. Before you go any farther. Steele.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for any; he lists it under every.
Where he writes about it:
All and both are collective; any, each, and every are distributive. — from every
Any makes no selection and may not reach to the full limits of all; each and every make no exception or omission, and must extend to all; all sweeps in the units as part of a total, each and every proceed through the units to the total. — from every
A promise made to all omits none; a promise made to any may not reach all; a promise made to every one is so made that no individual shall fail to be aware of it; a promise made to each is made to the individuals personally, one by one. — from every