ARTICLE. A used for "one," "any"
A was used for one in such expressions as "He came with never a friend," &c.“He and his physicians are of a mind.
”
“An two men ride of a horse one must ride behind.” Ib. iii. 5. 44.“'Fore God, they are both in a tale.
”
So “The Images were found in a night all hacked and hewed.” N. P. 172.“For in a night the best part of my power
Were in the Washes . . . devoured.
”
“We still have slept together,
Rose at an instant, learn'd, play'd, eat together.
”
“Myself and a sister both born in an hour.
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i.e. "at one time," "for once."“You, or any living man, may be drunk at a time, man.
”
We find "one" and "a" interchanged in“These foils have all a length.
”
“Hear me one word:
Beseech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.
”
We never use the possessive inflection of the unemphatic one as an antecedent; but Shakespeare writes:“But shall we wear these honours for a day?
Or shall they last?
”
We also find in Early English: “Thre persones in a Godhede.” HALLIWELL. where a is for one. Compare Scotch "ae" for "one." It seems used for "any," i.e. ane-y, or one-y, in“For taking one's part that is out of favour.
”
“Ne'er a one to be found.” B. J. E. in &c. iii. 2. So Cymb. i. 1. 24. And emphatically for "some," "a certain," in“There's not a one of them.
”
“There is a thing within my bosom tells me.
”
“I should impart a thing to you from his majesty.
”
“Shall I tell you a thing?
”
“I told you a thing yesterday.
”
“And I came to acquaint you with a matter.
”
