Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Since?

\Since\ (s[i^]ns), adv. [For sins, contr. fr. OE. sithens, sithenes, formed by an adverbial ending (cf. {Besides}) from OE. sithen, also shortened into sithe, sin, AS. si[eth][eth]an, sy[eth][eth]an, seo[eth][eth]an, afterward, then, since, after; properly, after that; fr. s[=i][eth] after, later, adv. and prep. (originally a comparative adv., akin to OS. s[=i][eth] afterward, since, OHG. s[=i]d, G. seit since, Goth. sei[thorn]us late, ni [thorn]anasei[thorn]s no longer) + [eth]on instrumental of the demonstrative and article. See {That}.] 1. From a definite past time until now; as, he went a month ago, and I have not seen him since. We since become the slaves to one man's lust. --B. Jonson. 2. In the time past, counting backward from the present; before this or now; ago. How many ages since has Virgil writ? --Roscommon. About two years since, it so fell out, that he was brought to a great lady's house. --Sir P. Sidney. 3. When or that. [Obs.] Do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in St. George's field? --Shak.
\Since\, prep. From the time of; in or during the time subsequent to; subsequently to; after; -- usually with a past event or time for the object. The Lord hath blessed thee, since my coming. --Gen. xxx. 30. I have a model by which he build a nobler poem than any extant since the ancients. --Dryden.
\Since\, conj. Seeing that; because; considering; -- formerly followed by that. Since that my penitence comes after all, Imploring pardon. --Shak. Since truth and constancy are vain, Since neither love, nor sense of pain, Nor force of reason, can persuade, Then let example be obeyed. --Granville. Syn: Because; for; as; inasmuch as; considering. See {Because}.