Middle English Dictionary Entry

thē̆r-at adv.
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Entry Info

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
With ref. to a physical place, point in space, an object, etc. or to a specified event: (a) in that place, at that spot, there; (b) at that event; ben ~ (presente, to be in attendance at that event, be there; him-self ~ presente; (c) with verbs of motion: to that place, to there; also, with verb of looking: upon it, at it [1st quot.]; have ~, go to it!
2.
With ref. to a door, gate, an opening, or orifice: (a) beside it, at it; (b) with verbs of motion (implied or expressed): through it, by way of it or them; also, toward it, at it; as rel. adv.: through which, at which [quot. c1475]; (c) knokken ~, to knock on it, pound on it; pullen ~, ?open it, pull it outward; ?tug at it.
3.
With ref. to an action, a point in a narrative or in a temporal sequence, a task, etc.: (a) in response to that, at that; disdeinen (grucchen, laughen, wepen) ~; haven disdeine (envie, joie) ~; (b) ?thereupon, at that point in time, right then; ?on the spot, right there [if the latter, these quots. belong to sense 1.(a)]; (c) in misc. verb phrases: ben ~, to be occupied with that, be in the process of doing that; comen ~, win that, achieve that end; don ~, make efforts toward that end, accomplish that; holden ~, refl. keep oneself to that, concentrate on it; skelten ~, labor at that, go at it.
4.
As subordinating conj. introducing a locative adv. clause: wherever, where.