After adv. and prep. World English Historical Dictionary

After adv. and prep. World English Historical Dictionary Dictionary Biographies Literary Criticism Welcome Terms of Service ⧏ Previous Next ⧐ Contents Slice Contents Key Bibliographic Record Murray’s New English Dictionary. 1888, rev. 2024. After adv. and prep. Forms: 1–3 æfter, 2–3 eafter, 2–4 efter, 3–9 after; occas. 4–6 aftir, -yr, -ur, -re. North. 4–7 efter, -ir, -yr. [OE. æfter cogn. w. OS. and OHG. aftar, -er, OFris. efter adv. and prep., ON. aptr adv., eptir prep., Goth. aftra back, aftaro from behind, adv.; Gr. ἀπωτέρω, Skr. apatarā’m. Orig. a compar. form of af, L. ab, Gr. ἀπό, Skr. ápa, with compar. suffix -ter, -THER; = ‘farther off, at a greater distance from the front, or from a point in front’; and hence in the Teutonic languages ‘more to the rear, behind, later.’ Used in the oldest Eng. as a separable verbal particle capable of governing a case (dat. or acc.) in composition, whence, when detached from the vb., it appeared as adv. or prep. according to the absence or presence of an object.]

1   ¶  As adv. or prep. in separable comp.

2 c. 885.  K. Ælfred, Oros., I. x. Him æfter folʓiende wæron.

3 c. 1230.  Juliana (R. MS.) (1872), 32. Ant hare fan … þat ham efter sohten [Bodl. MS. ferden ham efter].

4   A.  adv.

5   1.  Of place or order: In the rear, behind. (With go, come, follow, etc.)

6 c. 1000.  O. E. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 9. Ðæt folc þæt þar beforan ferde, and þæt þar æfter ferde.

7 c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., ibid. Ðæt folc þe þær before ferde, & þæt þe þær æfter ferde.

8 1205.  Layamon, 1572. Þe king sette to fleonne and al þa ferde eafter.

9 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 1001. & þay folȝyeaþ after wiþ rendouns.

10 1611.  Bible, Luke xxiii. 55. And the women also … followed after, and beheld the Sepulchre.

11 Nursery Rhyme.  Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.

12 Mod.  Put your own first, and let these come after.

13   2.  Of time: Subsequently, at a later time; afterwards. Formerly used before the vb., now only at the end of a sentence or clause, and chiefly in phr. before or after, or as in 2 b.

14 a. 1000.  Beowulf, Ðǽm eafera wæs æfter cenned.

15 c. 1220.  Leg. St. Kath., 1223. We mahen haue sikere bileaue to arisen alle after.

16 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 127. And wyst nocht quhat suld eftir tyd.

17 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, IV. 1439. Gyf an end hade ben now, & neuer noyet efter.

18 1481.  Caxton, Reynard (Arb.), 65. Men may wel lye whan it is nede and after amende it.

19 1594.  Plat, Jewell-ho., II. 40. A … substance, which you may after cleanse by ablution.

20 1601.  Shaks., Jul. Cæs., I. ii. 76. If you know, That I do fawne on men … And after scandall them.

21 a. 1631.  Donne, Serm., xcii. IV. 171. The very place where Solomon’s Temple was after built.

22 1640.  Fuller, Abel Rediv., Peter Martyr (1867), I. 251. Our worthy Jewel, after bishop of Salisbury.

23 1756.  Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 256. All we do after is but a faint struggle.

24 1768.  H. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, 5. The king smote the young prince on the face, and after his servants slew him.

25 Mod.  I never spoke to him after; I was never so treated either before or after.

26   b.  esp. In combination with another adv. of time or adverbial phrase, soon after, long after, an hour, a year after. The day, the year after = next following.

27 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Mark x. 1. Gesomnadon efter sona meniʓo.

28 a. 1000.  ? Cædmon, Gen. (Grein), 550. Æfter siððan.

29 c. 1340.  Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1640. & efter-sones of þe same he serued hym þere.

30 1513.  Douglas, Æneis, IX. v. 40. Brocht in schort quhile eftir syne.

31 1536.  Wriothesley, Chron. (1875), I. 36. The morrowe after, being Satterdaie.

32 1611.  Bible, John i. 35. The next day after John stood, and two of his disciples.

33 1625.  Hart, Anat. Ur., II. iv. 73. This flux continued … for some few dayes after. Ibid., II. vi. 87. She died about two months after.

34 1753.  Hanway, Travels (1762), II. VIII. i. 183. Soon after the artillery … proclaimed the news to the people.

35 Mod.  That must have been in the week after.

36   B.  prep. I. Of place.

37   1.  With verbs of motion (expressed or implied): Following, going, or coming in the rear of, behind.

38 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Luke ix. 23. Ȝyf hwá wyle æfter me cuman.

39 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 5. Al þe … folc þe eode efter him … sungun þisne lofsong.

40 c. 1230.  Ancren Riwle, 196. Up oðe hulles heo clumben efter us.

41 1297.  R. Glouc., 398. Roberd erl of Flaundres after þulke ost come.

42 1388.  Wyclif, Luke xiv. 27. He that berith not his cross, and cometh aftir me.

43 1526.  Tindale and 1611 ibid., Come after me.

44 1593.  Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., V. iii. 27. Shall we after them? After them, nay, before them, if we can.

45 1707.  Lond. Gaz., mmmmcccxxxiii/7. After whom rode on Horse-back a Courier of the Republick.

46 1816.  J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. ii. 27. That merciless ghost that walks the sea After our ship for ever.

47 c. 1840.  J. S. Knowles, Virgin., I. i. The people will throng after him with shouts.

48   † 2.  Of position: Behind. Obs. rare.

49 c. 1380.  Wyclif, Tract., i. 22. Crist clepide hym Sathanas and badde him go after hym.

50 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 2776. Spedilich in þey wente, & After hymen made þe gate faste.

51 c. 1400.  Apol. for Loll., 56. Go o bak after Me, Sathanas.

52 1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, a ij. Suche ther be that lawgheth to fore yow, whiche after youre back goo mockyng.

53 1704.  Newton, Opticks (1721), 31 (J.). Sometimes I placed a third Prism after the second, and sometimes also a fourth after a third, by all which the Image might be often refracted sideways.

54   † 3.  Following the course of (anything extended in space); hence, along (a linear dimension); across or away over (an extended surface). Obs. or dial.

55 878.  O. E. Chron. He [Alfred] lytle werede … after wudum for, and on mor fæstenum.

56 a. 1000.  Beowulf, 2854. Ȝesawon þa æfter wætere Wyrm-cynnes fela.

57 c. 1200.  Moral Ode, 233. Þor is woninge & wop after eche strete.

58 1205.  Layamon, 13777. Al þat verden æfter wæi. Ibid., 23140. And fluȝen after þere sæ.

59 [In Somerset a keeper says, ‘You’d best go down along after that wall—after that ditch’; an apothecary says, ‘the pain seems to lie after the check bone.’ Cf. ‘You had better follow the wall.’]

60   † b.  Along the surface of, close to. Obs. rare.

61 a. 1000.  Shrine, 132. Þæt haliȝe blod orn æfter eorðan.

62 1523.  Fitzherbert, Husbandry (1534), D iv. Hey commeth of a grasse called crofote, and groweth flatte, after the erthe.

63   4.  Following with intent to overtake, pursuing, in pursuit of. a. Primarily, in reference to things in motion; b. also to things at rest, when their place is doubtful; esp. with go, send: in search of, in quest of, to find. To be after: to be in pursuit of, trying to reach or get into the company of (a person), trying to get or do (a thing).

64   a.  c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. xxxi. 36. For hwilcum gylta ferdest þu þus after me?

65 1154.  O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1132. Þe king sende efter him.

66 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, V. 511. Eftir hym in hy he sent.

67 1611.  Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 14. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dogge, after a flea.

68 1623.  Sanderson, 35 Serm. (1681), I. 91. He must after them, and smite them, and pluck the spoil out of their teeth.

69 1708.  Lond. Gaz., mmmmccccxix/5. They stand from us, and we after them with all the Sail we can.

70 Mod.  Run after him and catch him!

71   b.  c. 1000.  Ælfric, Deut. vi. 14. Ne far þu æfter fremdum godum.

72 1061.  O. E. Chron. (D.). Her for Ealdred biscop to Rome æfter his pallium.

73 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 7. God almihti sende his apostles … efter þe assa fole.

74 c. 1435.  Torr. Portugal, 500. Hys squyeres bode he ther Aftyr hys armor for to far.

75 1611.  Bible, Deut. vi. 14. Yee shall not goe after other gods.

76 1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 201. There is nobody comes after her: she receives no Letters.

77 1775.  Sheridan, Rivals, V. ii. 152. What tricks are you after now?

78 1876.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., II. x. 462. The new Metropolitan went to Rome after his pallium.

79 Mod. fam.  There are many after this situation. She has too many followers; always some young man after her.

80   5.  Hence, Denoting the aim or object of many vbs., adjs. and sbs. of action; the idea of in pursuit of, passing into those of in order to overtake, attain to, come up with, meet with, find, discover, learn; obtain, get, have.

81   † a.  To stand, abide, after; i.e., in expectation of, to catch, meet. Obs.

82 c. 1200.  Ormul., 6506. Herode king Bad affterr þeȝȝre com.

83 1297.  R. Glouc., 367. After betere wynd hii moste þere at stonde.

84 c. 1374.  Chaucer, Boethius (1868), 13. Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche.

85 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. II. 124. Hewes in þe halyday · after hete wayten.

86 1515.  Festyvall (W. de Worde), 79 b. The abbot … stode under a pyler and abode after Thomas.

87   b.  To look, see, after (a thing gone, going or liable to go); hence, To look to the state of, attend to.

88 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, IV. 616. Eftir the fyre he lukit fast.

89 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. I. 14. Esteward ich byhulde after þe sonne.

90 a. 1699.  Lady A. Halkett, Autobiog. (1875), 73. Goe to Edinburgh to looke affter my concerne.

91 1833.  Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, i. 2. To meet the master looking after his fruit-trees.

92 Mod.  Is there anyone to look after the cows?

93   c.  To call, shout, whistle, after. Also fig. (obs.; repl. by for) To seek to get by calling, whistling, etc.

94 1393.  Langl., P. Pl., C. IV. 127. The kynge fram consail cam · and callyd after mede.

95 c. 1500.  Cocke Lorell Bote (1843), 12. Some stered at the helme behynde, Some whysteled after the wynde.

96 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 59 (1806), II. 87. They never call after those who run away from them.

97 1766.  Goldsm., Vic. of Wakef., iv. The very children … will hoot after us.

98 Mod.  He shouted after me down the street.

99   d.  To search, seek, inquire, ask, after (the missing, wanted, absent or unknown).

100 a. 1000.  Beowulf, 670. Wlonc hæleþ … æfter hæleþum fræʓn.

101 c. 1300.  K. Alis., 1825. Uche mon soughte after socour.

102 1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 543. I seygh neuere palmere … axen after hym.

103 1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 22. Earnestlie seik efter things pleasand to the.

104 1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., I. i. 63. He after honour hunts, I after love. Ibid. (1597), 2 Hen. IV., I. i. 29. My Seruant Trauers, whom I sent … to listen after Newes.

105 1611.  Bible, Deut. xii. 30. That thou enquire not after their gods.

106 1751.  Johnson, Rambl., No. 144, ¶ 11. This impartial and zealous enquirer after truth.

107 1775.  Sheridan, Rivals, II. i. I told him you had sent me to inquire after his health.

108 1875.  Farrar (title), ‘Seekers after God.’

109 Mod.  Hearing of his illness I called to ask after him. He inquired very kindly after my parents.

110   e.  With vbs., adjs. and sbs. of desire; as to long, hanker, hunger, thirst, strive; be eager, greedy; have a hankering, desire.

111 a. 1000.  Beowulf, 3762. Him æfter deórum men dyrne langaþ.

112 c. 1220.  Ureisun of our Louerde, 185. Hu wilneþ after cunfort on eorþe.

113 c. 1400.  Gamelyn, 630. He was sore alonged after a good meel.

114 1535.  Coverdale, Ps. xlii. 1. Like as the hert desyreth [1611 panteth after] the water brokes, So longeth my soule after the, o God.

115 1642.  Rogers, Naaman, 479. An ardent affection after it, as one that is famished.

116 1709.  Steele, Tatler, No. 57 (1806), II. 64. Will Ubi, who is so thirsty after the reputation of a companion.

117 1796.  Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 301. A prevailing desire after a peaceable accommodation.

118 1800.  Coleridge, Wallenstein, II. iii. Because I Endeavoured after peace, therefore I fall.

119 1842.  Macaulay, Ess. (1848), II. 144. He was greedy after power with a greediness all his own.

120 1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, I. v. 52. This brave man thought ever of his absent child, and longed after him.

121 1879.  C. Geikie, Life of Christ, lvi. 678. The priesthood had striven after kingly power and rank.

122   II.  Of time.

123   6.  Following in the succession of time; in succession to.

124 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John i. 30. Æfter me cymð wer þe me beforan ʓeworden wæs.

125 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 75. And ic ou wile seggen word efter word.

126 1297.  R. Glouc., 60. Þis Kymbel aftur hys fader kyng was of þis londe.

127 1599.  A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 9/1. Doe this the continuance of 9 dayes after other, every morning.

128 1611.  Bible, John i. 20. After me cometh a man which is preferred before me.

129 1620.  Venner, Via Recta, vii. 115. They are not good to be taken after meat. [Cf. Grace after Meat.]

130 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 262. And what was it to him who ruled after him? Ibid., II. 460. Turning out judge after judge, till the bench had been filled with men ready to obey implicitly the directions of the government.

131 1866.  Sala, Barbary, 93. In front of the Grand Hotel gather group after group.

132 Mod.  Time after time I urged him to do it.

133   7.  Subsequent to a space of time; after the interval of, at the close of. In mod. usage after three months varies with three months after, the former emphasizing the interval.

134 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 63. After þrym daʓon ic arise.

135 c. 1160.  Hatton Gosp., ibid. Æfter þreom daʓen ic arise.

136 1375.  Barbour, Bruce, I. 40. The land … Lay desolat eftyr hys day.

137 1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xxvii. 63. After thre dayes I shal ryse aȝen.

138 1526.  Tindale, ibid. After thre dayes I will aryse agayne.

139 1582.  N. T. (Rhem.), Then after fourtene yeres I vvent vp againe to Hierusalem [Wycl. fourtene ȝeer aftir; Tind. xiiii. yeares after that; Cranm. xiiii yeres thereafter; Genev. & 1611 fourtene yeres after].

140 1625.  Hart, Anat. Ur., II. v. 80. After a while she fell into a night feauer.

141 1641.  French, Distill. (1651), v. 109. They will after a time contract a mucilaginous slimie matter.

142 1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), II. XIII. i. 283. After putting garrisons in these places, he marched for Tavriz.

143 1877.  Brockett, Cross & Cresc., 185. After ages of submission, either nominal or real, they became restless and rebellious.

144 Mod.  After two years’ absence Richard returned to England. After a long interval the task was resumed.

145   8.  Subsequent to or later than a point of time. (Not necessarily in immediate sequence.) After hours: after the regular hours of work or service.

146 a. 855.  O. E. Chron., an. 774. Æfter sunnan setlgonge.

147 c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 47. On þe ehteðe dai efter his burþe.

148 1297.  R. Glouc., 407. Anon after Mydsomer þys batayle ydo was.

149 1384.  Chaucer, Leg. G. Wom., 580. Afftyr the deth of Tholome … Reynede his queen Cleopatras.

150 c. 1440.  Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 25. Eftire þis sall þou wiete whilke ere þe ten comandementis.

151 1587.  Holinshed, Scot. Chron. (1806), II. 117. Adrian the … legat came too late, as who should say, a day after the faire.

152 1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 14. Æternal lyffe … for ye chosin eftir deathe.

153 1605.  Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. i. § i. (1873). The narration may be before the fact as well as after.

154 1611.  Bible, Jos. x. 14. There was no day like that, before it, or after it.

155 1641.  Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Minute Bk. (1855), 98. Four dayes efter your receipt heirof.

156 1832.  Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, viii. 124. It was long after dark.

157 1861.  Trafford (Mrs. Riddell), City & Suburb, III. 293. One night after hours he borrowed the sketch.

158 1879.  Tennyson, Lover’s T., 74. The eleventh moon After their marriage.

159 Mod. (in Dickens).  I’ll work after hours and finish it.

160   9.  Of temporal and logical sequence: Subsequent to and in consequence of.

161 a. 1000.  Beowulf, 3216. Þá þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswáte wanian.

162 c. 1280.  E. E. Poems, 20. Anoþer wol after þan · areri cuntake.

163 1475.  Caxton, Jason, 35 b. After that I understonde by your wordes.

164 1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xcii. 426. After what has been said … we may contemplate the superior charms of liberty.

165 1877.  Lytteil, Landmarks, I. iv. 34. After what has been already said, any one will readily see that Kampsus is simply the usual and idiomatic contraction of kamp’s hús.

166 Mod.  After his behavior to his parents, what could you expect?

167   10.  Of temporal sequence and logical opposition: Subsequent to and notwithstanding. esp. in after all.

168 1603.  Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 347. Harke how the villaine would close now, After his treasonable abuses.

169 1710.  Palmer, Proverbs, 69. After all our complaints of the lawyers and the law, there is no man in this kingdom too big for either.

170 1876.  Trevelyan, Macaulay, iii. 113. After all, as far as your verses are concerned.

171 1876.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. ii. 20. The Roman occupation was, after all, very superficial.

172 Mod.  That he should continue his visits after such a rebuff is unaccountable.

173   III.  Of order.

174   11.  Next to in point of order or importance.

175 c. 1220.  Ureisun of Ure Lefdi, 125. To þe one is al mi trust efter þine leoue sune.

176 c. 1230.  St. Marh., 13. Ich habbe efter bellzebub mest monnes bone ibeon.

177 1697.  Dryden, Virgil, Pastorals, vii. 30. Codrus after Phœbussings the best.

178 1777.  Sir W. Jones, Arcadia, 105. And after Pan thy lips will grace it best.

179 1864.  Tennyson, En. Ard., 425. ‘I am content,’ he answer’d, ‘to be loved A little after Enoch.’

180   IV.  Of manner.

181   † 12.  Following as one follows a leader or guide; in obedience to, in compliance or harmony with, according to a law, will, word, advice. Obs.

182 c. 975.  Rushw. Gosp., Luke ii. 22. Gifylled werun daʓas clænsunʓe his æfter æ Moyses.

183 a. 1000.  Ags. Metr. Ps. cxviii. 149. Æfter ðinum domum do me hálne.

184 c. 1200.  Ormul., 119. Eȝȝþerr here ȝede swa Rihht affterr godess lare.

185 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 6132. Hys angels þan, aftir his wille, Sal first departe þe gude fra þe ille.

186 c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 2891. Wel sone dude þe Amyrel; after ys counseil riȝt.

187 1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 21. Whether they haue obserued it [his command] after thye charge or nat.

188 1535.  Coverdale, John xix. 7. After our lawe he ought to dye.

189 1598.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. (1641), 63/1. In his Name, beg boldly what we need (After his will).

190 1621.  Burton, Anat. Mel., III. II. IV. i. (1651), 536. To make good musick of their own voices, and dance after it.

191   b.  In compliance with the wishes of.

192 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wyf of B., 406. And eek I pray to Jhesus schort her lyves, That wil nought be governed after her wyves [6– text bi].

193 c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 209. Pylate, do after us, And dam to deth Jesus.

194   † c.  In accordance with the statements of; according to (an author). Obs. or ? arch.

195 1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 230/4. She bad that the passyon after luke shold be redde.

196 1586.  Cogan, Haven of Health (1636), 30. Oates, after Galen, have like nature as Barlie.

197   13.  In accordance with, according to a custom, wont, fashion, manner, kind, sort, example, pattern.

198 a. 1000.  Cædmon, Gen. (Grein), 396. He hæfþ mon ʓeworhtne æfter his onlîcnesse.

199 c. 1250.  Gen. & Exod., 1652. And kiste hire aftre kindes wune.

200 1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, K iij. To be charytable after thexemplary of our Lady.

201 1528.  Gardiner, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., 47, I. 90. After a homely and familiar manner.

202 1577.  St. Aug. Manuell, 73. Looke after what sort thou showest thy selfe towards God.

203 1647.  May, Hist. Parl., II. ii. 34. Their … cause lay bleeding in Ireland after so deplorable a kinde.

204 1668.  Culpeper & Cole, trans. Barthol. Anat., I. viii. 17. The lower point of the Call is round after a sort.

205 1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 193, ¶ 3. The levée of a great man is laid after the same manner.

206 1855.  Dickens, Dorrit, i. 1. Handsome after its kind.

207 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 292. The oath of office was administered after the Scotch fashion.

208 1864.  ‘Holme Lee,’ Silver Age (1865), II. 142. Typifying, after a fashion, the make-shift perilous way.

209 1871.  Smiles, Character, iii. (1876), 74. Even the portrait of a noble or a good man, hung up in a room, is companionship after a sort.

210 1879.  Carpenter, Ment. Physiol., I. ii. § 82. 85. To build after one particular pattern.

211   b.  ellipt. After the nature of; according to.

212 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., John viii. 15. Ȝe demað æfter flǽsce.

213 c. 1200.  Ormul., Ded. 2. Nu broþerr Wallterr, broþerr min Affterr þe flæshess kinde.

214 1382.  Wyclif, Rom. viii. 1. Þat not aftir the fleisch wandren but after the spirit.

215 1534.  Tindale, ibid. Which walke not after the flesshe, but after the sprete. [1588 Rheims according to the flesh.] 1611 ibid., Who walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit.

216 1685.  Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. i. 1. His reputed Legal Father after the flesh.

217 1882.  G. Smith, in Gd. Wds., March, 212. A man after his own heart.

218   14.  After the manner of; in imitation of; like.

219 c. 1300.  K. Alis., 5418. More hy than olyfaunz. Blake heueded after a palfray.

220 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, V. 1613. Tilde vpon Tiber after Troy like.

221 1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, b viij. That she be arayed after the good ladyes of the countre.

222 c. 1570.  Thynne, Pride & Lowl. (1841), 30. And [they] were clothed after citizens.

223 1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 228, ¶ 4. I must … copy after an old Almanack which I have by me.

224 1795.  Gibbon, Autobiog., 74. After his oracle Dr. Johnson, my friend … denies all original genius.

225 1839.  Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. iii. v. § 17. 240. Some are said to dress after a lady for whom nature has done more than for themselves.

226   b.  To name after.

227 1297.  R. Glouc., 61. Juli the emperour … Hadde afteir hym y-clepud a moneth in the ȝer.

228 1480.  Caxton, Chron. Eng., iv. 9. And Corin called it after his name cornewayle.

229 1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 491. A succession of bands designated, as was the fashion of that age, after their leaders.

230 1876.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 190. Whether surnamed after the Hebrew King or not.

231   c.  To model, draw, compose after.

232 c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, XXI. 8758. A meruelous ymage … Amyt after Ector, abill of shap.

233 1762.  H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786). II. 52. Nicholas, the second son … while abroad modelled after the antiques.

234 1845.  Mrs. Jameson, Handbk. Publ. Galleries, 311. The appearance of being engraved after a drawing by Giulio Romano. Ibid., 313. Venus and Cupid … a copy after Titian. Ibid. (1850), Sacr. & Leg. Art, 1. We cannot turn over a portfolio of prints after the old masters.

235 Mod.  (Titles) ‘Wednesday Afternoon’ (after Longfellow). ‘Jubilate’ (after the mediæval Latin hymns.

236   15.  In a manner answering to, proportionate to, befitting, suiting. arch.

237 c. 1000.  Ælfric, Gen. i. 25. God ʓeworhte þære eorðan deor æfter hira híwum.

238 c. 1230.  Ancren Riwle, 126. Ase dude þe lefdi Iudit, efter hire efne.

239 1391.  Chaucer, Astrolabe (1560), 251/2. All the Sterres of the South arisen after the degree of her longitude.

240 c. 1460.  Fortescue, Absol. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 49. The … charge … schal be more or less, after their long or schorte abode.

241 1549.  Latimer, 7 Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (1869), 51. Cut thy cloth after the mesure.

242 1611.  Bible, Ps. xxviii. 4. Giue them after the worke of their handes. [Wyclif aftir ther werkis.]

243 a. 1626.  Bacon, Consid. War w. Spain, Misc. Wks. (1670), 1 (J.). He … takes greatness of Kingdoms according to their Bulk and Currency, and not after their intrinsique Value.

244 1714.  Ellwood, Hist. his Life (1765), 234. We followed after our own Pace.

245   16.  At the rate of (obs.); at (the rate of).

246 1530.  A proper Dyaloge (1863), 15. Oure clargye lyue nothynge after their rate.

247 1587.  Harrison, England, II. i. (1877), 24. If these paie after foure shillings for land, the cleargie contribute commonlie after six shillings of the pound.

248 1642.  Lanc. Tracts of Civ. War (1844), 62. To be repayed with satisfaction after eight pounds per Cent.

249 1643.  Slingsby, Diary (1836), 94. Have their pay after 6 shillings a week.

250 1702.  Lond. Gaz., mmmdcccxxi/8. After the Rate of 12s. per Gallon.

251 1882.  Charter-party, On being paid Freight at and after the rate of—shillings sterling per ton.

252   C.  conj. or conj. adv. (elliptically from prep.).

253   1.  Of time: † a. with antecedent and relative. Obs.

254 c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 32. Æfter þam þe ic of deaþe arise.

255 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 51. Efter þan þet þe mon bið dead.

256 c. 1200.  Ormul., 7667. Affterr þatt tatt he wass dæd.

257   b.  with relative particle only. arch.

258 c. 950.  Lindisf. Gosp., Luke ii. 22. And æfter ðon gefylled were daʓas clænsunʓes his … lædon hine in Hierusalem.

259 c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 139. Efter þet ure drihten hefde þet folc adreint.

260 c. 1297.  R. Glouc. 230. After that Saxons and Englysse verst come thys lond to.

261 1382.  Wyclif, Jer. xxxvi. 27. After that the king hadde brent the volum.

262 1535.  Coverdale, ibid. After now that the kynge had brente the boke. 1611 ibid. After that the king had burnt the roule.

263 1880.  Lewis & Short, Lat. Dict., Postquam, after that, after.

264   c.  simply.

265 c. 1360.  Wyclif, De Dot. Eccl., 22. Aftir he hadde take þe hooli Goost.

266 1366.  Maundev., 174. After thei han slayn them.

267 1526.  Tindale, Matt. xxvi. 32. After I am rysen ageyne. [Wyclif After that I schal rise aȝen.] 1611 ibid. After I am risen againe.

268 1588.  A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 31. Efter we knaw the law maker, we may rewerence him ye mair.

269 1753.  Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. V. lxv. 298. After the Portuguese had settled themselves in East India.

270 1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 10. A few days after the Revolution had been accomplished.

271   † 2.  Of manner: According as. Obs.

272   a.  with antecedent and relative.

273 c. 1200.  Moral Ode, 358. Sume habbed more after þan þe hi dude her.

274   b.  with relative particle (that or as).

275 c. 1375.  Lay-Folks Mass-bk., B. 8. After þat (þo boke) tellis.

276 c. 1394.  P. Pl. Crede, 732. But after þat his wynnynge is · is his well-fare.

277 1426.  Audelay, Poems, 18. Uche preson schuld have his part after that he had ned.

278 1464–6.  Marg. Paston, in Lett., 52, IV. 196. It is solde rythe well aftyr þat the wole was.

279 1506.  Ord. Crysten Men (W. de Worde), II. ix. 112. After as saynt Gregory sayth.

280 1587.  Golding, De Mornay, xiv. 201. After as any of these three powers doe reigne and beare sway.

281   c.  simply.

282 c. 1440.  Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 7. Ilke cristene mane awe … to take efter his elde es.

283 1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, d iij b. Bere honoure … to euery one after he is worthy.

284 1634.  Malory’s Arthur (1816), I. 22. Every knight after he was of prowess.

285   D.  Phr. at after. (Still used in the north.)

286   1.  prep. Used where we should now use after alone, to indicate time when. (The after may in some cases belong to the sb. following; cf. AFTERNOON.)

287 c. 1386.  Chaucer, Squires T., 294. At after souper goth this noble king To seen this hors of bras.

288 1521.  Bradshaw, St. Werburge (1848), 95. At after matyns she vsed contemplacyon. Ibid., 193. On saynt Katharins day at after mydnyght.

289 1523.  Fitzherbert, Husbandry (1534), D ij b. Lode oute his dounge before none, and lode heye or corne at after none.

290   2.  adv. Afterwards.

291 a. 1641.  Strafford, Lett., in Southey’s C. Pl. Bk. (1849), II. 172. Let shame cover me at after as a cloak.

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