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now and again

 - 4 dictionary results

now

[nou]
–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?
–noun
10. the present time or moment: Up to now no one has volunteered.
–adjective
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:
bef. 900; 1965–70 for def. 11; ME; OE nū, c. ON, Goth nū; akin to G nun, L num, Skt nu, Gk nú, nûn


nowness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To now and again
now   (nou)   
adv.  
  1. At the present time: goods now on sale; the now aging dictator.

  2. At once; immediately: Stop now.

  3. In the immediate past; very recently: left the room just now.

  4. At this point in the series of events; then: The ship was now listing to port.

  5. At times; sometimes: now hot, now cold.

  6. Nowadays.

  7. In these circumstances; as things are: Now we won't be able to stay.

    1. Used to introduce a command, reproof, or request: Now pay attention.

    2. Used to indicate a change of subject or to preface a remark: Now, let's get down to work.

conj.  Seeing that; since. Often used with that: Now that spring is here, we can expect milder weather.
n.  The present time or moment: wouldn't work up to now.
adj.  
  1. Of the present time; current: our now governor.

  2. Slang Currently fashionable; trendy: the now sound of this new rock band.


[Middle English, from Old English ; see nu- in Indo-European roots.]
now'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

now and again

Also, now and then. See every now and then.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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