_otherwise_
Pronunciation
and accent: ʌðəwaɪz.
Etymology: analysed into
(on) othre
wisan (= in other manner). See WISE.
As
a noun: only in the
phrase or otherwise, following a
noun, or a verb, to signify a respective word of opposite or different meaning.
The index number for the price of each article […] is 1 or 100,
according to the use or otherwise of the decimal point.
W. Jevons… Money & Mechanism of Exchange
The most amusing feature in the case was the conflict of professional
evidence as to the merits, or otherwise, of Mr. Whistler's paintings.
The Pall Mall Magazine.
As
an adverb: 1. In another manner; in other manners; in a different
manner; by other means.
Synonyms: contrarily, differently.
Translation: de otra manera, in Spanish; altrimenti, in Italian; autrement, in French.
This dread was not exactly a dread of physical evil — and yet I should
be at a loss how otherwise to define it.
Edgar Poe
I did meet her several times for years afterwards, but never by look, or
otherwise, showed any
intimacy with her.
Walter… My secret life
In the evening we saw a remarkable rock, rising from the water like a
steeple, on the south side of the entrance of Port Desire; this rock is an
excellent mark to know the harbour, which it would otherwise be difficult to find.
Robert Kerr… Voyages and Travels…
To
leave Tiger in the box was what neither of us could endure to think of; yet,
how to act otherwise was the question.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym
The
Jane Guy had a crew of thirty-five, all able seamen, besides the captain and
mate, but she was not altogether as well armed or otherwise equipped as a navigator
acquainted with the difficulties and dangers of the trade could have desired.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym
Still
I could not venture to make any disturbance by opening the trap or otherwise, and, having wound up the watch, contented myself as
well as possible.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym
-) With the conjunction than, to introduce
the alternative manner or means:
I
must not speak otherwise than truly.
Walter Scott (Redgauntlet)
It was also evident, that the water, thus falling from a height of
better than four feet, could not do otherwise than fall upon my face, and that
the sure consequence would be, to waken me up instantaneously, even from the
soundest slumber in the world.
Edgar Poe
They have no hat, but a woollen cap in the shape of a deep crown of a
hat; but they rarely wear it, otherwise
than
under the arm.
A Geographical View of the World
There is another kind of grass that can scarcely be distinguished from
it otherwise than by tasting.
Thomas Fessenden… The New England Farmer
[…] his name was never more pronounced otherwise than with the utmost contempt.
The Edinburgh monthly review
His
address was singularly pleasing and gentlemanlike, and the apology which he
made for disturbing me at such an hour, and in such a manner, was so well and
handsomely expressed, that I could not reply otherwise
than by
declaring my willingness to be of service to him.
Walter Scott… The Monastery
2. In a different circumstance; in another case; if not;
else; if the case be not so.
I hold minute attention to trifles unworthy the dignity of serious
narrative; otherwise I might here,
following the example of the novelist, dilate upon the subject of habiliment.
Edgar Poe
Had the pirate recovered his money, there the affair would have […
ended]. It seemed to me that some accident — say the loss of a memorandum
indicating its locality — had deprived him of the means of recovering it, and
that this accident had become known to his followers, who otherwise might never have heard that
treasure had been concealed at all.
Edgar Poe
[…]
I am desirous, both for the sake of your good opinion, which I value, and also
for the plainer explanation of what I have darkly intimated, to communicate to
you what otherwise I would much rather have left
untold.
Walter Scott… The Novels of Walter Scott
Having lain off this island from the 24th of June to the 27th of July, I
shall now [… write] the best account of its inhabitants, with their manners and
arts, that I can; but having been in a very bad state of health the whole time,
and for great part of it confined to my bed, it will of necessity be much less
accurate and particular than I might otherwise have made it.
Robert Kerr… Voyages and Travels…
As I had here strong currents, and for several days had not been able to
get an observation of the sun, I cannot so exactly ascertain the situation of
these islands as I might otherwise have done.
Robert Kerr… Voyages and Travels…
It
was happy for me that I was able to procure a supply of English seamen here, otherwise I should not at last have been able to bring the ship
home.
Robert Kerr… Voyages and Travels…
3. In other respect; with regard to
something else.
The
only person of our opponents who was left alive was Richard Parker. This man,
it will be remembered, I had knocked down with a blow from the pump-handle at
the commencement of the attack. He now lay motionless by the door of the
shattered stateroom; but, upon Peters touching him with his foot, he spoke, and
entreated for mercy. His head was only slightly cut, and otherwise he had received no injury, having been merely stunned
by the blow.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
This one has such a lovely backside, but has hanging breasts. That one
has too much hair on her cunt, […] but she is otherwise beautiful.
Walter… My secret life
We
took in, too, a plentiful stock of the flesh of the hog which I have mentioned
before. Most of the men found it a palatable food, but I thought it fishy and otherwise disagreeable.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
He had with him a huge oaken cudgel, but appeared to be otherwise unarmed.
Edgar Poe
The
sea nearly smooth, with a light wind, and still from the northward and
westward. The sun coming out hotly in the afternoon, we occupied ourselves in
drying our clothes. Found great relief from thirst, and much comfort otherwise, by bathing in the sea
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
As an adjective:
1. (As a
predicate) not so; in another state, quality, or condition;
differently conditioned or mannered; different; other than denoted.
[…]
he was rather gratified, than otherwise, at a visit from a gentleman
whom he so highly respected.
Edgar Poe
He
was now thoroughly insensible, and there was no probability that he would be otherwise for many hours.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
[…] the
weather was so warm as to render the water rather grateful than otherwise.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
The blunder itself would have been unimportant, had not my own folly and
impetuosity rendered it otherwise.
Edgar Poe… The Narrative …
[…] in
this strange city […] where I did not understand a word of the language and
where people disappear mysteriously, I felt rather glad than otherwise that he was waiting for me.
Walter… My secret life
[Talking
about a painter] The vigilance of his mind is exerted in the minutest as in the
greatest features: not a tree which the botanist, not a building which the
architect, not a drapery which the costume-studier, not an emotion which the
actor, would wish away or wish otherwise.
Tobias Smollett… The Critical Review, vol. 39
-) With the
preposition than, to introduce
the alternative quality, state or condition:
Nobody really seemed to think it otherwise than pretty.
William Howells… The March Family Trilogy
The valley Campan has its rich fields, its grassy slopes, its crystal
river, its wooded summits, and its shady dells; and with a profusion of such
features, it cannot be otherwise
than
beautiful.
James Murray… A summer in the Pyrennees
"Really, now," said the lady, not quite comprehending the
bantering tone in which Maude had spoken, but unwilling to think it otherwise than a polite method
upon the part of Maude of acquiescing in all her wishes.
Eliza Cook… Eliza Cook's Journal
2. (Otherwise followed by a noun) that would
otherwise be; that would be (+ noun), in another case, circumstance or respect.
They were entertained by their political enemies, their otherwise friends.
Webster Dict. Sec. Ed.
