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[OED] inasmuch {adverb} = [Etymology:]
originally 3 words in as much (in northern Middle English in als mikel), subsequently sometimes written as 2 words, in asmuch, and now (especially since 17th cent.) as one.

†3. in as much (Without as [afterwards])
= [4.] In an equal or like degree, likewise. (Obs[olete].)

(TL;DR) To parse inasmuch, I consider its original form as 3 separate words, per above.

1. Which do the 3 separate words (in as much) mean individually? Which definitions from OED match each word? OED is linked here for your convenience: in, as, much.

2. How did the bolded 3 morphemes combine to mean definition 4? For example, 3 contains no word that means degree in definition 4. So whence did degree originate?

Please expose and explain all hidden, missing semantic drifts. I read this, but wish to dig deeper.

Guesswork and Optional Reading (Please feel free to ignore this):

'Equate terms' in 3 and 4 above. Then:

5. as appears to equate to 'equal or like'. But this equalisation appears false, because as cannot be an adjective, while 'equal or like' is an adjective (phrase). So which definition of OED matches as?

6. much appears to equate todegree. But this is false, because much must be a determiner or pronoun, while degree is a noun. So what did much mean here?

Community
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    *Insofar as* I can see, this question is *just like* so many others *inasmuch as* it is tries to look too hard for the simple answer which just pops out *in that* those are all effectively synonyms. Don’t let the spacing distract you. – tchrist Jul 10 '15 at 23:25

1 Answers1

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Your premise is wrong: "much" doesn't have to be a determiner or a pronoun. It may be an adverb, meaning "approximately," as the OED notes, "[c]hiefly qualifying expressions denoting similarity."

deadrat
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  • Sorry, but it’s unclear to me how this answers my question. Even if much is an adverb, then how does much compare with degree? –  Jul 10 '15 at 13:43
  • @LePressentiment "Compare with degree" is just something you made up. "As" means like; "much" means approximately; "inasmuch" means in the circumstances approximately equal to that which follows the next "as." – deadrat Jul 10 '15 at 14:03
  • Thanks. 1. Can you please cite which OED definition supports your writing that "As" means like? 2. You wrote circumstances above, but where is circumstances reflected in inasmuch? Notice that the definition above excludes as; I just wish to focus on inasmuch. –  Jul 10 '15 at 14:07
  • A.II.3 or B.I.1 2. That's what the "in" means. 3. "inasmuch" is always paired with "as," so your focus is out of.
    • – deadrat Jul 10 '15 at 14:17
  • Thanks again. 1. From OED, A.II.3 refers to the adverb, but B.1.1 refers to the conjunction. So how can as mean both here? 2. How does 'in' mean circumstances? 3. Usually, but not the older adverb above (OED above excludes the as) 4. Also, to which definition do you refer for much in your answer above? No entries on OED match your quote. –  Jul 10 '15 at 19:24
  • And B.I.1 refers to A.II.3 for its sense. Nothing "means" a part of speech. "In" means in something, and that something will be found on the other side of the stand-alone "as." So "inasmuch as you're on a fool's errand, means in circumstances like your errand. – deadrat Jul 10 '15 at 20:18
  • Thanks again. Inasmuch as I'm on a fool's errand, were you able to answer 4 in my comment above, please? I find that your comments have already enlightened me on this adverb. –  Jul 11 '15 at 14:21
  • Sorry to bother you again, but would you please be able to integrate all your comments into your answer, and then delete the integrated comments to avoid confusion by future readers? –  Jul 21 '15 at 01:18
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    @LePressentiment Inasmuch as time permits. – deadrat Jul 21 '15 at 01:23
  • Thanks. I acknowledge the time already expended in answering this question, but I thank you effusively in advance and hope for your additional help. –  Jul 21 '15 at 01:24