After-

in comb. is used in various relations prepositional, adverbial, and adjectival, not always easy to separate, and in various senses. In some of these the combination is very loose, the use of the hyphen being mainly syntactical, i.e., to show that the grammatical relation between after and the following word is something else than the ordinary one of preposition and object. Cf. ‘After consideration I resolved to decline’ with ‘After-consideration has shown me that I was wrong.’ ‘I should know him after years had passed’ with ‘I know not what after-years may bring.’ Otherwise it is unnecessary, as ‘the events of after years.’ See AFTER a.

  I.  General senses in comb. (Words in bold are treated specially under II., those in SMALL CAPITALS in their alphabetical place.)

  1.  As prep. with sb., the whole forming a sb. meaning ‘the time after ——’: as AFTERNOON, -DINNER, -SUPPER; so after-church, -grave, -sunset, -tea. Also used attrib., as in after-dinner oratory.

1678.  Butler, Hudibr., III. ii. 310. The Bride to nothing but her Will, That nulls the After-Marriage still.

a. 1682.  Sir T. Browne, Lett. to Friend (1881), 140. Leaving no earnest behind him for corruption or aftergrave.

1792.  Gentleman’s Mag., LXII. 24/2. I wished to accompany Miss Sophia to the after-church lecture, but was never asked.

1807.  W. Taylor, in Robberds’ Mem., II. 215. This confinement of my father’s takes away my after-teas.

1861.  L. L. Noble, After Icebergs, 139. All that we anticipated of the sunset, or the after-sunset, is now present.

  2.  As adv. (or prep.) with vb., indicating succession in time, or direction in space; as after-date, after-eye, after-go, after-send, and other vbs. common in OE.; also in vbl. derivatives, as AFTERCOMER, -COMING; after-beer, -liver, etc.

1340.  Ayenb., 58. Makeþ þe efter telleres ofte by yhyea[l]de foles and uor lyeȝeres.

  3.  As adv. with ppl. a.: Subsequently, later in order, as in AFTER-BORN (OE. æfter-boren). esp. later in a speech or writing: as after-described, -mentioned, -named, -specified, -written.

1640.  Bk. of War Committee of Covenanters, 2. At the sight of the persones efter-specifit.

1687.  Lond. Gaz., mmccxxi/3. Under the several Conditions, Restrictions, and Limitations after-mentioned.

  4.  As adj. with sb., indicating position = hinder, posterior, a. as in OE. æfter-ráp crupper, after-body, -brain, -breast, -nose, -wrist; after-part, -truck, etc. (See AFTER a. 4.)

1824.  W. Irving, T. of Trav., I. 41. The old gentleman had really an afterpart of his story in reserve.

1833.  Marryat, Pet. Simple (1863), 45. He was sharpening a long clasp knife upon the after-truck of the gun.

  b.  esp. In nautical lang.: Of or pertaining to the hinder part of the ship, nearer to the stern, as in AFTER-GUARD; after-cabin, -leech, -oar, -sails, -yards; after-ship, -part, -quarter, etc.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. iii. (1495), 105. Highte puppis in latyn as it were aftershyppe.

1599.  Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 167. Right with the maine mast or after-quarter of the shippe.

1871.  Daily News, 26 Aug., 5/6. She [the Duke’s yacht] has a spacious deck saloon in the afterpart.

  5.  As adj. with sb. expressing order = subordinate, inferior, remoter, as AFTER-DEAL, after-kindred, -man, -table, after-wine. OE. æfter-ealo small beer.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVII. clxxxix. (1495), 729. The after-wyne that is wrongen out of grapys.

  6.  As adj. with sb. expressing order in time = the latter (of two), second, secondary, following or recurring after the main occurrence: as AFTER-BIRTH, -BURDEN, -CLAP, -COURSE, -CROP, -GAME, -GLOW, -GRASS, -IMAGE, -MATH, -PIECE, -SPRING, -THOUGHT, -WORTS; after-banquet, -baptism, -blow, -damp, -eatage, -growth, -mass, -mess, -sum, -winter; so after-harvest, -meal, -paganism, -ploughing, -storm, -task. OE. had æfter-ʓyld, -hætu, -sang. (One main stress: a·ftercrop, a·fterha:rvest.) See AFTER a. 2.

a. 1600.  Hooker, Serm. on Justif., § 5. The infusion of grace hath her sundrie after-meales.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, II. 411. An after-harvest of many cares and discontentments.

c. 1619.  Hieron, Wks., 1620, II. 453. Wee are wise inough to put our selues to an after taske.

1624.  Gataker, Transubst., 173. His other Arguments are drops of an after-storme.

1664.  H. More, Myst. Iniq., 293. Had degenerated therein into a kind of an After-Paganism.

1818.  Cobbett, Year’s Resid. Amer. (1822), 57. When I have spoken of the after-culture, I shall compare the two methods of sowing.

  7.  As adv. or adj. with n. of action, with the idea of, Following not immediately, at length, eventual, ultimate; as AFTER-PAIN, -RECKONING, -WIT; after-cast, -proof, -roll, -taste, -treat; so after-account, -chance, consequence, -cost, -effect, -fame, -fruit, -good, -grief, -glory, -harm, -infamy, -loss, -penitence, -remedy, -rottenness, -settling, -turn. OE. had æfter-yldo later age. (One main stress: a·fter-effe:ct.)

1572.  Barnabe Googe, trans. Heresbach’s Husb. (1586), 36 b. Not sowed for present necessitie, but for other afterturnes.

1590.  Payne, Descr. Irel. (1841), 12. Which now dare not so for fear of after harmes.

1599.  Fenton, Guicciardine, XIV. 641. What will be the euent and afterchaunce of things.

1612.  Brinsley, Lud. Liter., i. (1627), 4. I trust my after-fruits shall much increase.

1707.  Freind, Peterboro’s Cond. Spain, 58. Such effects … are too often paid for by an after-reckoning.

1810.  Coleridge, Friend, I. xiv. (1867), 62. The sense of disproportion of a certain after-harm to present gratification. Ibid. (1817), Biogr. Lit., 226. The beneficial after-effects of verbal precision.

1842.  H. E. Manning, Serm. (1848), I. 170. The shrinking anticipation of its possible after consequences.

1860.  Froude, Hist. Eng., V. xxviii. 393. First the destruction of the Church as a body politic, and then an after-fruit of reaction.

  8.  As adj. or adv. with n. of action or adj., expressing, After the event, later, and hence sometimes, late, behindhand; as AFTER-BORN, -HAND, -THOUGHT, -WIT; after-knowledge, -view, -wise; after-acceptation, -agreement, -breach, -consideration, -counsel, -deliberation, -design, -difference, -engagement, -inquiry, -fall, -meditation, -pardon, -speech, -thrift, -wrath, etc. (Both words have accent, but the stronger is on after: af·ter-cou·nsel.)

a. 1600.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VIII. 501. By which means of after-agreement, it cometh many times to pass.

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., V. iv. 189. Iump the after-enquiry on your owne perill.

1617.  Hieron, Wks., II. 91. And for the preuenting of their after-falls.

1626.  Bernard, Isle of Man (ed. 10), 16. This fellow cannot abid after-meditation.

1634.  Sanderson, Serm., II. 305. With God there is no after-counsel, to correct the errors of the former.

1644.  Quarles, Sheph. Oracles, ix. Give former dispensation; or at least An after Pardon.

1692.  Bentley, Boyle Lect., v. 158. These After-considerations are of very little moment.

1830.  Sir J. Herschel, Nat. Phil., 77. It is only by after-rumination that we gather its full import.

  9.  As adv. or adj. with sb., meaning, Coming or existing afterwards, subsequent; as in after-act, -action, -age, -beauty, -friend, -help, -king, -life, -love, -state, -wisdom, -years, and others without limit. Not distinct from AFTER a. 3; the value of the hyphen, which is often omitted, is purely syntactical, and both words have a main accent: a·fter li·fe, a·fter procee·dings.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., III. i. 95. Scorne at first makes after-loue the more.

1594.  Hooker, Eccl. Pol. (1611), Pref. Common conference before hand might haue eased them of much aftertrouble.

1640.  Sanderson, Serm., II. 146. He meaneth to build his after-comforts upon a firm base.

1655.  W. Gouge, Comm. Hebr. vi. 10. Their former diligence will be … an aggravation of their after-negligence.

1664.  H. More, Myst. Iniq., 474. All the importunities and necessities of after-affairs.

1680–90.  Sir W. Temple, Ess. Learn., Wks. 1731, I. 297. So renowned in their own and After-ages.

1705.  Hickeringill, Priest-cr., II. i. 9. An After-Statute made by the said King and another Parliament.

c. 1726.  Garretson, Pr., 7. Unless the charitable care of some after-friend supply the defects of former education.

1736.  Carte, Life of Ormonde, II. 278. But his after-actions did not correspond to these beginnings.

1833.  Marryat, Pet. Simple (1863), 87. My history was not written in after-life.

1837.  M. F. Ossoli, Wom. in 19th C. (1860), 352. Their memory is with us amid after-trials.

1842.  H. E. Manning, Serm. (1848), I. 261. All the after-assaults of spiritual wickedness.

1862.  Lytton, Strange Story, I. 103. Though after-experience may rebuke the illusion.

  II.  Special combinations (with quotations, in alphabetical order).

  After-band, a subsequent band or bond after a release; † after-banquet, an entertainment following upon a banquet; † after-baptism, after-baptizing, adult baptism, anabaptism; † after-beer, a successor, one who lives later; † afterbeing, post-existence; after-blow = AFTERCLAP; † after-brain, the posterior lobe of the brain, the cerebellum; after-breast, name proposed by Kirby and Spence for the metathorax of insects; after-cabin, the cabin in the after or hinder part of the ship, having superior accommodation; aftercall, after-calling, reclamation, a renewed demand; also a calling afterwards; † aftercast, a second or later throw (at dice), an experimental result; after-damp, the choke-damp that rises in a mine after an explosion; after-date, to assign to a later date, to post-date; after-drops, drops of rain that continue to fall after the cloud has passed; after-eatage, the pasture after mowing = AFTER-GRASS; † after-eye, to follow with the eye, to look after; afterfeed = AFTER-GRASS; † after-frame, superstructure; † after-gathering, gleaning; also fig.; † aftergo, to follow; after-growth, a subsequent or second growth, an after-math; also growth afterwards; † after-kindred, remote kindred, distant relationship; after-knowledge, knowledge after the event, retrospective knowledge; after-leech, the hinder edge (of a sail); after-liver, survivor; † after-lodging, that which lodges behind (as coarser flour in the sieve); † after-man, a follower, a subordinate; † after-mass, the second or later mass, or feast-day of a saint; † aftermess, dessert, end of a feast; aftermowth (= after-eatage); after-nose (see quot.); after-oar, the hinder or rearmost oar of a boat; after-pasture = AFTER-GRASS; † after-proof, outcome, realization; after-roll, the roll of the waves after the subsidence of a storm; also fig.; after-sails, ‘all those on the after-masts, as well as on the stays between the main and mizen masts’ Adm. Smyth; after-season, the latter end of the year; † after-send, to send after; after-shine, the radiance that lingers after the sun has gone down, after-glow; also fig.; † after-sight, retrospective view, insight into the past; after-sum, the purchase money paid after the deposit, the balance; after-swarm, a second swarm of bees; † after-table, an inferior table; † after-tale, a subsequent reckoning, a correction; after-taste, a taste that remains or comes after swallowing anything; also fig.; after-thinker, a reflecter; † aftertime, conj. after that; † after-treat = after-taste, flavor, relish; † after-view, subsequent view, looking back; † after-wending, following; after-winter, a second winter when spring is looked for, a renewal of winter; after-wise, wise after the event, wise too late; † after-world, future generation; afterwrist, the metacarpus; † after-writing, postscript; after-yards, Naut. the yards in the main and mizen masts.

1667.  Milton, P. L., IX. 761. If death Bind us with *after-bands, what profits then Our inward freedom?

1577.  trans. Bullinger’s Decades (1592), 239. Gluttonie, surfettinges, riotous *afterbanquettes, and dronkennesse.

1597.  Warner, Albion’s Eng., X. lix. 262. Which *After-Banquet did their Lord for onely him prouide.

1680.  W. Allen, Peace & Unity, 70. The Pædobaptists are as much for water-Baptism as the Anabaptists are, and hold themselves as firmly engaged by their Infant-Baptism, as they do by their *after-Baptism. Ibid., 64. While they remain under this perswasion, they can no more lawfully receive an *after-baptizing.

1625.  W. L’Isle, Du Bartas’ Noe, 8. How long some of them lived with their forebeers and *afterbeers.

1587.  Golding, De Mornay, vii. 92. A beginninglesse forebeing … inferreth an endlesse *afterbeing.

1663.  Butler, Hudibr., I. iii. 740. And they perire, and yet enough Be left to strike an *after-blow.

1615.  Crooke, Body of Man, 468. They are scituate betweene the forepart of the *After-braine and backside of the third ventricle.

1673.  in Phil. Trans., VIII. 6153. As soon as the knife touched the cerebellum or After-brain.

1816–43.  Kirby & Spence, Entomol. (1843), II. 254. You will discover in the *after-breast (post pectus) a rather deep cavity.

1833.  Marryat, Pet. Simple (1863), 196. Captain To then came out of the *after-cabin, half-dressed.

1814.  Wordsworth, Excurs., IX. 122.

1617.  Hieron, Wks., II. 92. There are no more *after-callings, when He hath once wiped out the score.

1393.  Gower, Conf. (Halliw.).

1866.  Carlyle, Reminisc., II. 265. The *aftercasts of the doctors’ futile opiates were generally the worst phenomena.

1869.  Echo, 29 March. Two others were killed by the effects of the *after-damp.

1800.  W. Taylor, in Month. Mag., X. 223. Perhaps the ambitious fancy of Josephus has *after-dated this narrative.

1580.  Sidney, Arcadia, III. 295. Their motions rather seemed the *after-drops of a storm, than any matter of great fury.

1760.  R. Burn, Eccl. Law, III. 469 (1797) (T.). The *after-mowth, or *after-eatage are undoubtedly part of the increase of that same year.

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., I. iii. 15. Thou should’st haue made him As little as a Crow, or lesse, ere left To *after-eye him.

1863.  W. Wing, in N. & Q., III. IV. 204. The *after-feed belonging to the proprietor.

1879.  Standard, 28 April. Growing Crop of Grass, with *afterfeed till Christmas.

1653.  Ashwell, Fides Apost., 41. That foundation, whereon the whole *after-frame is built.

1535.  Coverdale, Jud. viii. 2. Is not the *aftergadderynge of Ephraim better then the whole haruest of Abieser?

1548.  Geste, Priuee Masse, 77–8. The worshyppe *aftergoeth them all.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. of Wakef., vi. I called out my whole family to help at saving an *after-growth of hay.

1817.  Coleridge, Biogr. Lit., 106. The mind whom … he has … supplied with the germs of their *after-growth.

1839.  Stonehouse, Isle of Axholme, 62. This vert was the after-growth of that great forest.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Melib., 409 [Corp. & Lansd.]. Yet nathelesse your kinrede is but *after-kinrede [3 MSS. a fer kynrede, Harl. and Petw. litel].

1656.  Hobbes, Lib. Necess. & Chance (1841), 430. There is neither fore-knowledge nor *after-knowledge in him.

1861.  Goldw. Smith, Mod. Hist., 15. It cannot be answered by distinguishing between foreknowledge and *afterknowledge.

1834.  M. Scott, Cruise of Midge (1859), 490. Look how the clear green water … pours out of the *afterleech of the sail like a cascade.

1595.  Sidney, Def. Poesie (Arb.), 43. The benefit they got, was, that the *after-liuers may say, Hæc memini.

1641.  Best, Farm. & Acc. Bks. (1856), 104. In many places they grinde *after-logginges of wheate for theire servants pyes.

1625.  Sanderson, 35 Serm. (1681), 132. A wilful foreman that is made before-hand, and a mess of tame *after-men … that dare not think of being wiser than their leader.

1848.  Petrie, trans. Ags. Chron., 102. Nigh the *aftermass of St. Mary (8th Sept.).

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XVI. 457. Thai had a felloun *eftremess.

a. 1826.  Kirby & Spence, Entomol. (1826), III. 483. A triangular piece below the antennæ and above the nasus … this is the post-nasus or *after-nose.

1833.  Marryat, Pet. Simple (1863), 207. Who was seated upon the gunwale close to the *after-oar.

1634.  Wood, New Engl. Prosp., I. iv. (1865). There is little edish or *after-pasture, which may proceede from the late mowing.

1630.  Naunton, Fragm. Reg. (1870), 59. At the age of twenty and upwards, he was much short of his *after-proof.

1858.  Froude, Hist. Eng., III. xv. 314. Still heaving … from the *after-roll of the insurrection.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, 28. The setting of the work in the *after-season.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 10. To *after-send his foe, that him may overtake.

1831.  Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 102. From Suicide a certain *after-shine of Christianity withheld me.

1647.  N. Bacon, Hist. Disc., iii. 9. The honour due to great *after-sight.

1658.  Reynolds, Lord’s Supper, iv. Earnest useth to be paid in coyn of the same quality with the whole *aftersum.

1681.  J. W[orlidge], Syst. Agric., 189. The signs of *After-swarms are more certain.

1753.  Chambers, Cycl. Supp., The after-swarms differ from the prime, in that the latter are directed by the vulgar or the crowd of bees.

1645.  Rutherford, Tryal & Tri. Faith (1845), 266. Here is a high table and bread; and a by-board, or an *after-table.

c. 1300.  Beket, 627. On this Chartre sette here Seles; that non *Aftertale nere.

1830.  Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 45. They leave a bitter unpleasant *after-taste in the mouth.

1849.  C. Brontë, Shirley, II. viii. 201. It was the aftertaste of the battle.

1846.  Grote, Greece, I. I. iii. 102. Promêtheus and Epimêtheus the fore-thinker and the *after-thinker.

c. 1488.  Lib. Nig. Edw. IV., in Househ. Ord. 1790, 34. *Aftertyme VIII of these knyghtes be departed from court.

1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., To Reader. The *after treat will be none of the sweetest.

1693.  Leighton, On 1 Pet. iii. 11. They that know it in the sense of this *after-view … ask them what they think of it.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 7280. They trussen alle in the dawenyng, And makith swithe *after-wendyng.

1601.  Holland, Pliny, XVIII. xxv. Putting us in good hope, that al cold weather was gone: howbeit, there ensued a most bitter *after-winter.

1716.  Addison, Freeholder, No. 53, ¶ 8. These are such as we may call the *Afterwise.

1596.  Harrington, Ulysses upon Ajax. The *afterworld shal rather pittie your lost time.

1649.  Drumm. of Hawth., Cypress Grove, Wks. 1711, 122. That to *after-worlds thou might’st leave some monument that once thou wast.

1615.  Crooke, Body of Man, 917. Ligaments … ioyne the bones of the *After-wrest to the wrest.

1656.  Du Gard, Gate of Lat. unlocked, § 222. 61. The wrist [hath] eight [bones]; the *after-wrist four.

1598.  Florio, Posto scritta, a post-script, or *after-writing of a letter, a subscription.

1795.  Nelson, in Nicolas’s Disp. (1845), II. 13. Braced up our *after-yards, put the helm a-port, and stood after her again.