THEN • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Then

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/ðɛn/ Listen

adverb

Then adv.

1.

At that time (referring to a time specified, either past or future). "And the Canaanite was then in the land." "Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."

2.

Soon afterward, or immediately; next; afterward. "First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift."

3.

At another time; later; again. "One while the master is not aware of what is done, and then in other cases it may fall out to be own act."

By then.

(a)

By that time.

(b)

By the time that. (Obs.) "But that opinion, I trust, by then this following argument hath been well read, will be left for one of the mysteries of an indulgent Antichrist."

Now and then. See under Now, adv.

Till then, until that time; until the time mentioned. Note: Then is often used elliptically, like an adjective, for then existing; as, the then administration.

conjunction

Then conj.

1.

Than. (Obs.)

2.

In that case; in consequence; as a consequence; therefore; for this reason. "If all this be so, then man has a natural freedom." "Now, then, be all thy weighty cares away."

Synonyms: Therefore. Then, Therefore. Both these words are used in reasoning; but therefore takes the lead, while then is rather subordinate or incidental. Therefore states reasons and draws inferences in form; then, to a great extent, takes the point as proved, and passes on to the general conclusion. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God." "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

See images of 'Then'

Etymology of 'Then'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Then" Quotes from Famous Books

... incurable—it is absurd. They thought to use him, and did for awhile; but they must have known how timid he was; how entirely heartless and treacherous, and have expected his desertion. His next set of friends were mere table companions, of whom he grew tired too; then we hear of him with a very few select toadies, mere boys from school or the Guards, whose sprightliness tickled the fancy of the worn-out voluptuary. What matters what friends he had? He dropped all his friends; he never could ...

— Henry Esmond; The English Humourists; The Four Georges • William Makepeace Thackeray

... "Then I am glad to have you here, Lieutenant-Commander Darrin!" cried the German officer, "but I am afraid things will go badly indeed with you when you arrive ...

— Dave Darrin After The Mine Layers • H. Irving Hancock

... the existing records, the City had then received no books for placing in the rooms. Mr. J. C. Tingey, {5a} however, considers it "rather strange that when, in 1608, three rooms were fitted up for the reception of the library at the New Hall there should be no existing books to be placed in the presses, though promises of donations ...

— Three Centuries of a City Library • George A. Stephen

... everybody had urged upon her the idea that it was much better the house should be let for a time, "till everything was settled." When all was settled, things would be different. Mrs. Vicar did not say, "You can then do what you please," but she did convey to Mary's mind somehow a sort of inference that she would have something to do it with. And when Mary had protested. "It shall never be let again with my will," the kind woman had said ...

— Old Lady Mary - A Story of the Seen and the Unseen • Margaret O. (Wilson) Oliphant

... about some fellow yu' know mighty well, 'There's a man is a good friend of mine.' And yu' mean it. And it's so. Yet when matters is serious, as onced in a while they're bound to get, and yu're in a plumb hole, where is the man then—your good friend? Why, he's where yu' want him to be. Standin' off, keepin' his mouth shut, and lettin' yu' find your own trail out. If he tried to show it to yu', yu'd likely hit him. But shucks! ...

— Lin McLean • Owen Wister

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