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upon the whole. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
upon the whole, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
upon the whole in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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upon the whole, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Adverb
upon the whole (not comparable)
- Dated form of on the whole.
1736 June 3, Thomas Sheridan, letter to Jonathan Swift:My son writes me word that Mr. Vesey's family are angry with me for inserting some lines in the Legion Club touching him. Upon my soul, I never inserted one line in it; and upon the whole, I care not whether they believe me or not.
a. 1776, Joseph Baretti, “Dialogue the Fortieth”, in Easy Phraseology for the Use of Those Persons Who Intend to Learn the Colloquial Part of the Italian Language, 1835 edition, Turin: Joseph Bocca, page 222:With respect to my health, I may say that upon the whole it has been pretty good.
c. 1800, Joseph Huddart, Captain Huddart's Report, page 2:[…] but, upon the whole, it is my opinion, that the sands will continue to increase, […]