than

than
than [than]
conj.
[ME than, thene, thonne < OE thenne, thanne, thonne, orig., then: for IE base see THAT]
1. introducing the second element in a comparison, following an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree: if the first element is a subject, object, predicate nominative, etc., the second element is construed in the same way: [ he is taller than I; she arrived earlier than the others; Mom liked you better than me ]: sometimes, informally, this use of than is construed as a preposition and the second element as its object [ he is taller than me ]
2. expressing exception, following an adjective or adverb [none other than Sam]
3. when: used esp. following an inverted construction introduced by scarcely, hardly, barely, etc. [scarcely had I seen her than she spoke to me]
4. indicating difference or distinction, as:
a) introducing an adverbial clause [Paris was different than I'd thought it would be]
b) linking nouns or pronouns [her story is different than his]: this mainly informal use of than with different and differently is objected to by some
prep.
compared with: chiefly in the phrase than whom (or which), compared or in comparison with whom (or which) [a writer than whom there is none finer]

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • than — [ strong ðæn, weak ðən ] function word *** Than can be used in the following ways: as a conjunction (connecting two clauses or phrases): We shouldn t spend more than we earn. as a preposition (followed by a noun): I m taller than my dad.… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • than — W1S1 [ðən strong ðæn] conj, prep [: Old English; Origin: thanne, thAnne] 1.) used when comparing two things, people, situations etc ▪ Natalie was prettier than her sister. ▪ You need that money more than I do. ▪ There were more people there than… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Than — is a grammatical particle serving as both conjunction and preposition in the English language. It introduces a comparison, and as such is associated with comparatives, and with words such as more, less, and fewer. Typically, it seeks to measure… …   Wikipedia

  • Than — ([th][a^]n), conj. [OE. than, thon, then, thanne, thonne, thenne, than, then, AS. [eth]anne, [eth]onne, [eth][ae]nne; akin to D. dan, OHG. danne, G. dann then, denn than, for, Goth. [thorn]an then, and to E. the, there, that. See {That}, and cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • than — 1. Than is normally used to introduce the second element in a comparison, and acts either as a conjunction (He is older than I am) or as a preposition (He is older than me). In uses such as He is older than I, than is normally regarded as a… …   Modern English usage

  • than — ► CONJUNCTION & PREPOSITION 1) introducing the second element in a comparison. 2) used to introduce an exception or contrast. 3) used in expressions indicating one thing happening immediately after another. USAGE Traditionally, it has been… …   English terms dictionary

  • Than — ist der Familienname von: Abraham Than (* 1927), Altbischof von Kengtung Karl Than (1834–1908), ungarischer Chemiker Mór Than (1828–1899), ungarischer Maler Walter Than (* 1921), deutscher Tischtennisspieler Siehe auch Thane Tann Thanh Thann …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • than — O.E. þan, conjunctive particle used after a comparative adjective or adverb, from þanne, þænne, þonne then (see THEN (Cf. then)). Developed from the adverb then, and not distinguished from it in spelling until c.1700. The earliest use is in West… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Than — Than, adv. Then. See {Then}. [Obs.] Gower. [1913 Webster] Thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Than — (angelsächs. thegn, thên, althochd. degan, schott. than, thayne), ursprünglich der kriegerische Gefolgsmann des angelsächsischen Königs, seit dem 10. Jahrh. erblicher Großgrundbesitzer. Der T. entspricht in der Entwickelungsgeschichte des… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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