adv. and conj. [ANY + ways, adverbial genitive, as in ALWAYS.]
1. adv. In any way, in any respect, at all.
c. 1560. Bk. Comm. Prayer. All those who are any ways afflicted … in mind, body, or estate.
1638. Preston, Mount Ebal, 10. As the Rudder of a ship, which turnes it any wayes.
1673. Ray, Jrny. thro’ Low Countries, Ded. If either Catalogue or Observations prove any ways useful.
1794. Southey, Wat Tyler, III. i. Who may have been anyways concerned in the late insurrections.
1834. De Quincey, Cæsars, Wks. X. 61. Nor was such an interference … anyways injurious.
2. advb. conj. In any case, at all events, anyhow. dialect. or illiterate.
1865. Dickens, Mut. Fr., xii. 228. Anyways, I am glad [etc.].
