then

then
adv., adj., & n.
—adv.
1 at that time; at the time in question (was then too busy; then comes the trouble; the then existing laws).
2 a next, afterwards; after that (then he told me to come in). b and also (then, there are the children to consider). c after all (it is a problem, but then that is what we are here for).
3 a in that case; therefore; it follows that (then you should have said so). b if what you say is true (but then why did you take it?). c (implying grudging or impatient concession) if you must have it so (all right then, have it your own way). d used parenthetically to resume a narrative etc. (the policeman, then, knocked on the door).
—adj. that or who was such at the time in question (the then Duke).
—n. that time (until then).
Phrases and idioms:
then and there immediately and on the spot.
Etymology: OE thanne, thonne, etc., f. Gmc, rel. to THAT, THE

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • then — [ ðen ] function word *** Then can be used in the following ways: as an adverb: I was still at school then. as an adjective (only before a noun): the then prime minister, Harold Wilson 1. ) at that time a ) at a particular time in the past or in… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • then — [then] adv. [ME: see THAN] 1. at that time [he was young then] 2. soon afterward; next in time [he took his hat and then left] 3. next in order [first comes alpha and then beta] 4. in that case; therefore; accordingly: used with conjunctive f …   English World dictionary

  • Then — ([th][e^]n), adv. [Originally the same word as than. See {Than}.] 1. At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future). [1913 Webster] And the Canaanite was then in the land. Gen. xii. 6. [1913 Webster] Now I know in part; but… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Then — Then, conj. 1. Than. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] 2. In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason. [1913 Webster] If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom. Locke. [1913 Webster] Now, then, be all thy… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • then — Use of then as an adjective as in the then President, to mean ‘at that time’, has been continuous since the 16c and is acceptable despite occasional objections to it. Less acceptable, however, is the type with an adjective following then,… …   Modern English usage

  • Then — is a common adverb in English, indicating the apodosis of a conditional sentence. It is never equivalent to or synonymous with the conjunction than (although in a small number of accents the two may be considered homophones) nor the adjective… …   Wikipedia

  • then — adverb of time, from O.E. þanne, þænne, þonne, from P.Gmc. *thana (Cf. O.Fris. thenne, O.S. thanna, Du. dan, O.H.G. danne, Ger. dann), from PIE demonstrative pronoun root *to (see THE (Cf. the)). For further sense development, see …   Etymology dictionary

  • then — ► ADVERB 1) at that time. 2) after that; next. 3) also. 4) therefore. ● but then (again) Cf. ↑but then again ● then and there Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • then — [adv1] before; at another time again, all at once, anon, at that instant, at that moment, at that point, at that time, before long, formerly, later, next, on that occasion, soon after, suddenly, thereupon, when, years ago; concept 799 then [adv2] …   New thesaurus

  • then — index late (defunct) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Then- — [vermutlich Kurzw. aus Thiophen ]: Trivialstamm in Bez. von Verb., die sich von 2 Methylthiophen ableiten, z. B. Thenoesäure, Thenyl …   Universal-Lexikon

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