now

now [nou]

adv.

[ME < OE nu, akin to ON Goth, OHG nu < IE base * nu- > Gr nu, L nunc]

1.

a) at the present time; at this moment

b) at once

2. at the time referred to; then; next [now his joy began]

3. at a time very close to the present; specif.,

a) very recently; not long ago: with just [he left just now]

b) very soon: often with just [they are leaving just now]

4. given the situation; with things as they are [now we'll never know what happened]

conj.

since; seeing that [now you've arrived, I can stop worrying]

n.

the present time [that's all for now]

adj.

of the present or current time [the now generation]

interj.

1. used to signify warning, reproach, etc. [now, be careful!]

2. used with no definite meaning, to provide emphasis or to preface or resume one's remarks [now, I'd been waiting a long time for a chance to get even with him]

3. used to express sympathy, concern, consolation, etc. when repeated [now, now — it's not so bad after all!]

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now and then

sometimes; occasionally: also now and again