except

To exclude; to specify as being an exception.

I find most people annoying — present company excepted, of course!

But this [ban on circumcision] must have been a provocation, as the emperor Antoninus Pius later acknowledged by excepting the Jews.

To take exception, to object (to or against).

to except to a witness or his testimony

Except thou wilt except against my love.

Used to introduce an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

There was nothing in the cupboard except a tin of beans.

Except that he is wearing polka-dot drawers, he is buck naked.

Used to introduce a clause, phrase, verb infinitive, adverb or other non-noun complement forming an exception or qualification to something previously stated.

You look a bit like my sister, except (that) she has longer hair.

I never made fun of her except teasingly.

Loosely, used to introduce a contrastive statement explaining why something wasn't successful, didn't happen, etc.

They fired tear gas at us, except the wind was blowing the wrong way.

I almost walked out, except I remembered the promise I had made.

Unless; used to introduce a hypothetical case in which an exception may exist.

And they sayde: We have no moo but five loves and two fisshes, except we shulde goo and bye meate for all this people.

If I ſay ſooth, I muſt report they were / As Cannons ouer-charg'd with double Cracks, / So they doubly redoubled ſtroakes vpon the Foe: / Except they meant to bathe in reeking Wounds, / Or memorize another Golgotha, / I cannot tell: but I am faint, / My Gaſhes cry for helpe.