Even, a.
Etymology: [AS. efen. efn; akin to OS. eban, D. even, OHG. eban, G. efen, Icel. jafn, Dan. jevn, Sw. jämn, Goth. ibns. Cf. Anent, Ebb.]
1. Level, smooth, or equal in surface; not rough; free from irregularities; hence uniform in rate of motion of action; as, even ground; an even speed; an even course of conduct.
2. Equable; not easily ruffed or disturbed; calm; uniformly self- possessed; as, an even temper.
3. Parallel; on a level; reaching the same limit. And shall lay thee even with the ground. Luke xix. 44.
4. Balanced; adjusted; fair; equitable; impartial; just to both side; owing nothing on either side; -- said of accounts, bargains, or persons indebted; as, our accounts are even; an even bargain. To make the even truth in pleasure flow. Shak.
3 more senses
5. Without an irregularity, flaw, or blemish; pure. "I know my life so even." Shak.
6. Associate; fellow; of the same condition. [Obs.] "His even servant." Wyclif (Matt.
7. Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; -- said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even numbers. Whether the number of the stars is even or odd. Jer. Taylor. On even ground, with equal advantage. -- On even keel (Naut.), in a level or horizontal position.
4 other Webster entries under this spelling
Even n.
Evening. See Eve, n. 1. [Poetic.] Shak.
Even, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Evened; p. pr. & vb. n. Evening]
1. To make even or level; to level; to lay smooth. His temple Xerxes evened with the soil. Sir. W. Raleigh. It will even all inequalities Evelyn.
2. To equal [Obs.] "To even him in valor." Fuller.
3. To place in an equal state, as to obligation, or in a state in which nothing is due on either side; to balance, as accounts; to make quits. Shak.
4. To set right; to complete.
5. To act up to; to keep pace with. Shak.
Even, v. i.
To be equal. [Obs.] R. Carew.
Even, adv.
1. In an equal or precisely similar manner; equally; precisely; just; likewise; as well. "Is it even so" Shak. Even so did these Gauls possess the coast. Spenser.
2. Up to, or down to, an unusual measure or level; so much as; fully; quite. Thou wast a soldier Even to Cato's wish. Shak. Without . . . making us even sensible of the change. Swift.
3. As might not be expected; -- serving to introduce what is unexpected or less expected. I have made several discoveries, which appear new, even to those who are versed in critical learning. Addison.
4. At the very time; in the very case. I knew they were had enough to please, even when I wrote them. Dryden.
Note: Even is sometimes used to emphasize a word or phrase. "I have debated even in my soul." Shak. By these presence, even the presence of Lord Mortimer. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for even; he lists it under horizontal.
Where he writes about it:
That which is level may not be even, and that which is even may not be level; a level road may be very rough; a slope may be even. — from horizontal