either

ei•ther

[[t]ˈi ðər, ˈaɪ ðər[/t]] adj.

1) one or the other of two:

You may sit at either end of the table[/ex]

2) each of two; the one and the other:

There are trees on either side of the river[/ex]

3) fun one or the other:

Either will do[/ex]

4) fun (a coordinating conjunction that, when used with or, indicates a choice):

Either call or write[/ex]

5) as well; likewise (used after negative clauses):

If you don't go, I won't either[/ex]

•

Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE ǣgther, contr. of ǣghwæther each of two, both; see ay, whether usage: When used as the subject, the pronoun either usually takes a singular verb even when followed by a prepositional phrase with a plural object: Either of the shrubs grows well in this soil. As an adjective either refers only to two of anything. As a pronoun either sometimes occurs in reference to more than two (either of the three children), but any is more common (any of the three children). As a conjunction, either often introduces a series of more than two: pizza topped with either onions, peppers, or mushrooms. ―Usage guides say that the verb used with subjects joined by the correlative conjunctions either … or (or neither … nor) is singular or plural depending on the number of the noun or pronoun nearer the verb: Either the parents or the school determines the program. Either the school or the parents determine the program. Practice varies, however, and often the presence of one plural, no matter where, results in a plural verb. See also neither pron: In American English, either and neither are usu. pronounced as [[t]ˈi ðər[/t]] and [[t]ˈni ðər[/t]] with the vowel of see. The pronunciations [[t]ˈaɪ ðər[/t]] and [[t]ˈnaɪ ðər[/t]] with the vowel of bite, occur chiefly among the educated and in the network standard English of radio and television. Both (ē) and (ī) pronunciations existed in 17th-century Britain, but it was not until the 19th century that [[t]aɪ[/t]] came to predominate there. In American English, [[t]aɪ[/t]] therefore reflects a recent borrowing rather than a survival from the time of early settlement.