So much the, the: (a) with comp. adj. or adv.: ~ bettre (hottere, lesse, etc.), so much the better (hotter, less, etc.); al ~ bettre (faster); (b) with comp. adv. plus adj., ppl., or adv.: ~ more large (lesse afered, werse enteched, more pacientli, etc.), so much more generous (less frightened, worse disposed, more patiently, etc.); (c) in correl. constructions: as by so much..so by so much; ~ mo ~ mirier, ~ more..~ hardere, ~..more..~..strengere, etc.; (d) in combs.: ai ~ [see ai adv. 3.]; ever ~ [see ever adv. 7b.(b), (c)]; muche ~ [see much(e adv. 2b.(b), 3b.(b)]; muchel ~ [see muchel adv. 2b.(b), 3.(b)]; mucheles ~ [see mucheles adv. (b), (c)]; ner ~ latere, ner ~ les, ner ~ mo, never ~ later, never ~ les, never ~ mo, never ~ more, never ~ whether, no ~ lesse, no ~ mo, q.v.; thas ~, thas..~ [see thas pron. 2.(c)].

(a) For that reason, therefore; also, used as a subordinator introducing adverbial clauses [could also be construed as the conj.]: on which account, for which reason, wherefore; ~..(so) that, for this purpose..that, in order that; therefore..so that; (b) then; also, subsequently, next; in correl. constructions: the (tho)..~, when..then [a few exx. may be errors for or belong to tho adv.]; (c) so; (d) as noun or pron. in phrases: for ~ [see for-thi pronominal adv. & conj.]; to ~..that, for this purpose..that, in order that.

In conjunctive phrases: ~ lesse (the, ~ leste, lest.