Middle English Dictionary Entry

the particle
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
Following subordinating conjunctions introducing adverbial clauses: (a) the) lesse ~, for-thi lesse ~, lest [see also the adv. 3.]; (b) thanne (ther, tho) ~, when; after; also, in the circumstances when [quots. a1225(c1200), 1st & 3rd]; (c) thenne ~, from which place, whence; (d) ther (wher) ~, where; wherever; (e) thanne (ther-while, the-yet, tho, while) ~, while, during the time when; (f) tho ~, though, even though; though ~ [see though conj.].
2.
Following pronouns in conjunctive phrases, chiefly prep. phrases, introducing adverbial clauses: (a) of time [see also than pron.(1) 3.(a)]: after than ~, thas ~, after; amonges than ~, while; er than ~, before; until; mid than ~, when; (b) of manner [see also than pron.(1) 3.(b), thas pron. 2.(d)]: after (bi) than ~, after (of) that ~, to the degree that; according as; ilichest than ~, as if; than iliche ~, in the same way that, as; thas ~, according to what, as; as far as; to (mid) than ~, in whatever way; to thas ~, in such a way that, as; (c) expressing cause: bi than ~, for-than (than) ~, for-thi ~, for tho ~, since, for the reason that, because [see also for-than adv. & conj. 2.(b)]; (d) of consequence: for-than ~, ?for which reason, wherefore; ?therefore, consequently [cp. than pron.(1) 3.(b)]; (e) of purpose or condition: with than (that) ~, on condition that, provided; so that; (f) expressing a less preferred or inappropriate action or a condition to be prevented: er than ~, rather than; with than (that) ~, lest.
3.
Following rel. pronouns: se (thare, the, tho) ~, who; which; than (thane) ~, whom; which; thas ~, which; whom ~, whom [some exx. could also be construed as rel. pron. following dem. pron.].