aside

Everyday

1. To one side; out of the way: "Step aside." tree →
2. Kept for later: "Put some money aside." tree →
3. "Aside from" means except for, or as well as. tree →
4. As a noun, a remark spoken quietly, or a short comment that is off the main topic; in plays, words spoken to the audience that other characters are supposed not to hear. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, you step aside to let people pass and set aside money to save. In maths word problems, "set aside" means some of a total is kept and not used, so it is subtracted. In drama, an aside lets the audience know a character's thoughts. Phrases: step aside, put aside, set aside, aside from, joking aside.

Examples

• Please step aside and let the ambulance through. tree →
• Put some money aside each week. tree →
• She set aside 4 of her 12 cookies for her brother; how many were left? tree →
• Aside from the rain, it was a great day. tree →
• He pushed his plate aside. tree →
• The actor whispered an aside to the audience. tree →
• She drew aside the curtains of the little bed. tree →

Note

As an adverb it does not change: "aside". In maths, "set aside 4 of 12" means 12 − 4 = 8 are left to use. "Aside from" = "apart from". Do not confuse with "a side" (one side of a shape).

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah "turn aside" often means to leave the right path. It can also mean to step off the road to look at something.

Interpretation. "Turn aside" is often read as straying from God's way, as in a wife going astray or a person drawn to other gods. Moses turning aside to see the bush is read as the first step to his meeting with God.

Examples

• This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goeth aside, and is defiled; (Torah NUM.5.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses said: 'I will turn aside now, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.' (Torah EXO.3.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; (Torah DEU.11.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• Or who shall turn aside to ask of thy welfare? (Prophets JER.15.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances; for Thou hast instructed me. (Writings PSA.119.102, JPS 1917) tree →
• To turn aside the right of a man before the face of the Most High, (Writings LAM.3.35, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As an adverb it does not change: "aside". In maths, "set aside 4 of 12" means 12 − 4 = 8 are left to use. "Aside from" = "apart from". Do not confuse with "a side" (one side of a shape).