Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Soon?

\Soon\, adv. [OE. sone, AS. s?na; cf. OFries. s?n, OS. s[=a]na, s[=a]no, OHG. s[=a]r, Goth. suns.] 1. In a short time; shortly after any time specified or supposed; as, soon after sunrise. ``Sooner said than done.'' --Old Proverb. ``As soon as it might be.'' --Chaucer. She finished, and the subtle fiend his lore Soon learned. --Milton. 2. Without the usual delay; before any time supposed; early. How is it that ye are come so soon to-day? --Ex. ii. 18. 3. Promptly; quickly; easily. Small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide. --Shak. 4. Readily; willingly; -- in this sense used with would, or some other word expressing will. I would as soon see a river winding through woods or in meadows, as when it is tossed up in so many whimsical figures at Versailles. --Addison. {As soon as}, or {So soon as}, immediately at or after another event. ``As soon as he came nigh unto the camp . . . he saw the calf, and the dancing.'' --Ex. xxxii. 19. See {So . . . as}, under {So}. {Soon at}, as soon as; or, as soon as the time referred to arrives. [Obs.] ``I shall be sent for soon at night.'' --Shak. {Sooner or later}, at some uncertain time in the future; as, he will discover his mistake sooner or later. {With the soonest}, as soon as any; among the earliest; too soon. [Obs.] --Holland.
\Soon\, a. Speedy; quick. [Obs.] --Shak.