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5 dictionary results for: therefore

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

there·fore

[thair-fawr, -fohr] Pronunciation Key

–adverb

in consequence of that; as a result; consequently: I think; therefore I am.

[Origin: 1125–75; ME ther(e)fore, var. of therfor therefor

]

—Synonyms hence, whence. Therefore, wherefore, accordingly, consequently, so, then all introduce a statement resulting from, or caused by, what immediately precedes. Therefore (for this or that reason) and wherefore (for which reason) imply exactness of reasoning; they are esp. used in logic, law, mathematics, etc., and in a formal style of speaking or writing. Accordingly (in conformity with the preceding) and consequently (as a result, or sequence, or effect of the preceding), although also somewhat formal, occur mainly in less technical contexts. So (because the preceding is true or this being the case) and then (since the preceding is true) are informal or conversational in tone.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

there·fore (thâr'fôr', -fōr') Pronunciation Key
adv. For that reason or cause; consequently or hence.

[Middle English : there, there; see there + for, fore, fore; see for.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
therefore

O.E. þærfore; from there + fore, O.E. and M.E. collateral form of for. Since c.1800, therefor has been used in sense of "for that, by reason of that;" and therefore in sense of "in consequence of that."

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

therefore
adverb
1.	(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result; "therefore X must be true"; "the eggs were fresh and hence satisfactory"; "we were young and thence optimistic"; "it is late and thus we must go"; "the witness is biased and so cannot be trusted"
2.	as a consequence; "he had good reason to be grateful for the opportunities which they had made available to him and which consequently led to the good position he now held" [syn: consequently]