now and then
adverb
1.
at the present time or moment: You are now using a dictionary.
2.
without further delay; immediately; at once: Either do it now or not at all.
3.
at this time or juncture in some period under consideration or in some course of proceedings described: The case was now ready for the jury.
4.
at the time or moment immediately past: I saw him just now on the street.
5.
in these present times; nowadays: Now you rarely see horse-drawn carriages.
6.
under the present or existing circumstances; as matters stand: I see now what you meant.
7.
(used to introduce a statement or question): Now, you don't really mean that.
8.
(used to strengthen a command, entreaty, or the like): Now stop that!
conjunction
9.
inasmuch as; since: Now you're here, why not stay for dinner?
00:10
Now and then
is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
noun
10.
the present time or moment: Up to now no one has volunteered.
adjective
Idioms 11.
up-to-the-minute; encompassing the latest ideas, fads, or fashions: the now look; the now generation.
12.
now and again, occasionally. Also, now and then.
13.
now that, inasmuch as; since: Now that she is rich and famous, she is constantly being besieged by appeals for aid.
Origin:
before 900; 1965–70 for def 11; Middle English; Old English nū, cognate with Old Norse, Gothic nū; akin to German nun, Latin num, Sanskrit nu, Greek nú, nûn
before 900; 1965–70 for def 11; Middle English; Old English nū, cognate with Old Norse, Gothic nū; akin to German nun, Latin num, Sanskrit nu, Greek nú, nûn
Related forms
now·ness, noun
Can be confused: currently, immediately, momentarily, now, presently, soon (see synonym study at immediately)(see usage note at presently).
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To now and then
Collins
World English Dictionary
now (naʊ) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adv | |
| 1. | at or for the present time or moment |
| 2. | at this exact moment; immediately |
| 3. | in these times; nowadays |
| 4. | given the present circumstances: now we'll have to stay to the end |
| 5. | ( |
| 6. | ( |
| 7. | now and again, now and then, every now and again, every now and then occasionally; on and off |
| 8. | for now for the time being |
| 9. | (interjection) now now! an exclamation used to rebuke or pacify someone |
| 10. | now then |
| a. (sentence connector) used to preface an important remark, the next step in an argument, etc | |
| b. (interjection) an expression of mild reproof: now then, don't tease! | |
| —conj (often foll by that) | |
| 11. | seeing that; since it has become the case that: now you're in charge, things will be better |
| —sentence connector | |
| 12. | a. used as a transitional particle or hesitation word: now, I can't really say |
| b. used for emphasis: now listen to this | |
| c. used at the end of a command, esp in dismissal: run along, now | |
| —n | |
| 13. | the present moment or time: now is the time to go |
| —adj | |
| 14. | informal of the moment; fashionable: the now look is street fashion |
| [Old English nū; compare Old Saxon nū, German nun, Latin nunc, Greek nu] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
now
O.E. nu, common Gmc. (cf. O.N. nu, Du. nu, O.Fris. nu, Ger. nun, Goth. nu "now"), from PIE *nu (cf. Skt., Avestan nu, O.Pers. nuram, Hittite nuwa, Gk. nu, nun, L. nunc, O.C.S. nyne, Lith. nu, O.Ir. nu-). Often merely emphatic; non-temporal usage (cf. Now, then) was in O.E. The adj. meaning "up to date"
first recorded 1967.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
| NOW National Organization for Women |
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Nearby Words
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