Forms: 1–3 æfter, 2–3 eafter, 2–4 efter, 3–9 after; occas. 4–6 aftir, -yr, -ur, -re. North. 4–7 efter, -ir, -yr. [OE. æfter cogn. w. OS. and OHG. aftar, -er, OFris. efter adv. and prep., ON. aptr adv., eptir prep., Goth. aftra back, aftaro from behind, adv.; Gr. ἀπωτέρω, Skr. apatarā’m. Orig. a compar. form of af, L. ab, Gr. ἀπό, Skr. ápa, with compar. suffix -ter, -THER; = ‘farther off, at a greater distance from the front, or from a point in front’; and hence in the Teutonic languages ‘more to the rear, behind, later.’ Used in the oldest Eng. as a separable verbal particle capable of governing a case (dat. or acc.) in composition, whence, when detached from the vb., it appeared as adv. or prep. according to the absence or presence of an object.]
¶ As adv. or prep. in separable comp.
c. 885. K. Ælfred, Oros., I. x. Him æfter folʓiende wæron.
c. 1230. Juliana (R. MS.) (1872), 32. Ant hare fan … þat ham efter sohten [Bodl. MS. ferden ham efter].
A. adv.
1. Of place or order: In the rear, behind. (With go, come, follow, etc.)
c. 1000. O. E. Gosp., Matt. xxi. 9. Ðæt folc þæt þar beforan ferde, and þæt þar æfter ferde.
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., ibid. Ðæt folc þe þær before ferde, & þæt þe þær æfter ferde.
1205. Layamon, 1572. Þe king sette to fleonne and al þa ferde eafter.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 1001. & þay folȝyeaþ after wiþ rendouns.
1611. Bible, Luke xxiii. 55. And the women also … followed after, and beheld the Sepulchre.
Nursery Rhyme. Jack fell down and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.
Mod. Put your own first, and let these come after.
2. Of time: Subsequently, at a later time; afterwards. Formerly used before the vb., now only at the end of a sentence or clause, and chiefly in phr. before or after, or as in 2 b.
a. 1000. Beowulf, Ðǽm eafera wæs æfter cenned.
c. 1220. Leg. St. Kath., 1223. We mahen haue sikere bileaue to arisen alle after.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 127. And wyst nocht quhat suld eftir tyd.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, IV. 1439. Gyf an end hade ben now, & neuer noyet efter.
1481. Caxton, Reynard (Arb.), 65. Men may wel lye whan it is nede and after amende it.
1594. Plat, Jewell-ho., II. 40. A … substance, which you may after cleanse by ablution.
1601. Shaks., Jul. Cæs., I. ii. 76. If you know, That I do fawne on men … And after scandall them.
a. 1631. Donne, Serm., xcii. IV. 171. The very place where Solomon’s Temple was after built.
1640. Fuller, Abel Rediv., Peter Martyr (1867), I. 251. Our worthy Jewel, after bishop of Salisbury.
1756. Burke, Subl. & B., Wks. I. 256. All we do after is but a faint struggle.
1768. H. Walpole, Hist. Doubts, 5. The king smote the young prince on the face, and after his servants slew him.
Mod. I never spoke to him after; I was never so treated either before or after.
b. esp. In combination with another adv. of time or adverbial phrase, soon after, long after, an hour, a year after. The day, the year after = next following.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Mark x. 1. Gesomnadon efter sona meniʓo.
a. 1000. ? Cædmon, Gen. (Grein), 550. Æfter siððan.
c. 1340. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1640. & efter-sones of þe same he serued hym þere.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, IX. v. 40. Brocht in schort quhile eftir syne.
1536. Wriothesley, Chron. (1875), I. 36. The morrowe after, being Satterdaie.
1611. Bible, John i. 35. The next day after John stood, and two of his disciples.
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., II. iv. 73. This flux continued … for some few dayes after. Ibid., II. vi. 87. She died about two months after.
1753. Hanway, Travels (1762), II. VIII. i. 183. Soon after the artillery … proclaimed the news to the people.
Mod. That must have been in the week after.
B. prep. I. Of place.
1. With verbs of motion (expressed or implied): Following, going, or coming in the rear of, behind.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Luke ix. 23. Ȝyf hwá wyle æfter me cuman.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 5. Al þe … folc þe eode efter him … sungun þisne lofsong.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 196. Up oðe hulles heo clumben efter us.
1297. R. Glouc., 398. Roberd erl of Flaundres after þulke ost come.
1388. Wyclif, Luke xiv. 27. He that berith not his cross, and cometh aftir me.
1526. Tindale and 1611 ibid., Come after me.
1593. Shaks., 2 Hen. VI., V. iii. 27. Shall we after them? After them, nay, before them, if we can.
1707. Lond. Gaz., mmmmcccxxxiii/7. After whom rode on Horse-back a Courier of the Republick.
1816. J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. ii. 27. That merciless ghost that walks the sea After our ship for ever.
c. 1840. J. S. Knowles, Virgin., I. i. The people will throng after him with shouts.
† 2. Of position: Behind. Obs. rare.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Tract., i. 22. Crist clepide hym Sathanas and badde him go after hym.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2776. Spedilich in þey wente, & After hymen made þe gate faste.
c. 1400. Apol. for Loll., 56. Go o bak after Me, Sathanas.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, a ij. Suche ther be that lawgheth to fore yow, whiche after youre back goo mockyng.
1704. Newton, Opticks (1721), 31 (J.). Sometimes I placed a third Prism after the second, and sometimes also a fourth after a third, by all which the Image might be often refracted sideways.
† 3. Following the course of (anything extended in space); hence, along (a linear dimension); across or away over (an extended surface). Obs. or dial.
878. O. E. Chron. He [Alfred] lytle werede … after wudum for, and on mor fæstenum.
a. 1000. Beowulf, 2854. Ȝesawon þa æfter wætere Wyrm-cynnes fela.
c. 1200. Moral Ode, 233. Þor is woninge & wop after eche strete.
1205. Layamon, 13777. Al þat verden æfter wæi. Ibid., 23140. And fluȝen after þere sæ.
[In Somerset a keeper says, ‘You’d best go down along after that wall—after that ditch’; an apothecary says, ‘the pain seems to lie after the check bone.’ Cf. ‘You had better follow the wall.’]
† b. Along the surface of, close to. Obs. rare.
a. 1000. Shrine, 132. Þæt haliȝe blod orn æfter eorðan.
1523. Fitzherbert, Husbandry (1534), D iv. Hey commeth of a grasse called crofote, and groweth flatte, after the erthe.
4. Following with intent to overtake, pursuing, in pursuit of. a. Primarily, in reference to things in motion; b. also to things at rest, when their place is doubtful; esp. with go, send: in search of, in quest of, to find. To be after: to be in pursuit of, trying to reach or get into the company of (a person), trying to get or do (a thing).
a. c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. xxxi. 36. For hwilcum gylta ferdest þu þus after me?
1154. O. E. Chron. (Laud MS.), an. 1132. Þe king sende efter him.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, V. 511. Eftir hym in hy he sent.
1611. Bible, 1 Sam. xxiv. 14. After whom is the king of Israel come out? after whom dost thou pursue? After a dead dogge, after a flea.
1623. Sanderson, 35 Serm. (1681), I. 91. He must after them, and smite them, and pluck the spoil out of their teeth.
1708. Lond. Gaz., mmmmccccxix/5. They stand from us, and we after them with all the Sail we can.
Mod. Run after him and catch him!
b. c. 1000. Ælfric, Deut. vi. 14. Ne far þu æfter fremdum godum.
1061. O. E. Chron. (D.). Her for Ealdred biscop to Rome æfter his pallium.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 7. God almihti sende his apostles … efter þe assa fole.
c. 1435. Torr. Portugal, 500. Hys squyeres bode he ther Aftyr hys armor for to far.
1611. Bible, Deut. vi. 14. Yee shall not goe after other gods.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, III. 201. There is nobody comes after her: she receives no Letters.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, V. ii. 152. What tricks are you after now?
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., II. x. 462. The new Metropolitan went to Rome after his pallium.
Mod. fam. There are many after this situation. She has too many followers; always some young man after her.
5. Hence, Denoting the aim or object of many vbs., adjs. and sbs. of action; the idea of in pursuit of, passing into those of in order to overtake, attain to, come up with, meet with, find, discover, learn; obtain, get, have.
† a. To stand, abide, after; i.e., in expectation of, to catch, meet. Obs.
c. 1200. Ormul., 6506. Herode king Bad affterr þeȝȝre com.
1297. R. Glouc., 367. After betere wynd hii moste þere at stonde.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boethius (1868), 13. Yif þou abidest after helpe of þi leche.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. II. 124. Hewes in þe halyday · after hete wayten.
1515. Festyvall (W. de Worde), 79 b. The abbot … stode under a pyler and abode after Thomas.
b. To look, see, after (a thing gone, going or liable to go); hence, To look to the state of, attend to.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 616. Eftir the fyre he lukit fast.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. I. 14. Esteward ich byhulde after þe sonne.
a. 1699. Lady A. Halkett, Autobiog. (1875), 73. Goe to Edinburgh to looke affter my concerne.
1833. Ht. Martineau, Brooke Farm, i. 2. To meet the master looking after his fruit-trees.
Mod. Is there anyone to look after the cows?
c. To call, shout, whistle, after. Also fig. (obs.; repl. by for) To seek to get by calling, whistling, etc.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. IV. 127. The kynge fram consail cam · and callyd after mede.
c. 1500. Cocke Lorell Bote (1843), 12. Some stered at the helme behynde, Some whysteled after the wynde.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 59 (1806), II. 87. They never call after those who run away from them.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. of Wakef., iv. The very children … will hoot after us.
Mod. He shouted after me down the street.
d. To search, seek, inquire, ask, after (the missing, wanted, absent or unknown).
a. 1000. Beowulf, 670. Wlonc hæleþ … æfter hæleþum fræʓn.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 1825. Uche mon soughte after socour.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. V. 543. I seygh neuere palmere … axen after hym.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 22. Earnestlie seik efter things pleasand to the.
1591. Shaks., Two Gent., I. i. 63. He after honour hunts, I after love. Ibid. (1597), 2 Hen. IV., I. i. 29. My Seruant Trauers, whom I sent … to listen after Newes.
1611. Bible, Deut. xii. 30. That thou enquire not after their gods.
1751. Johnson, Rambl., No. 144, ¶ 11. This impartial and zealous enquirer after truth.
1775. Sheridan, Rivals, II. i. I told him you had sent me to inquire after his health.
1875. Farrar (title), ‘Seekers after God.’
Mod. Hearing of his illness I called to ask after him. He inquired very kindly after my parents.
e. With vbs., adjs. and sbs. of desire; as to long, hanker, hunger, thirst, strive; be eager, greedy; have a hankering, desire.
a. 1000. Beowulf, 3762. Him æfter deórum men dyrne langaþ.
c. 1220. Ureisun of our Louerde, 185. Hu wilneþ after cunfort on eorþe.
c. 1400. Gamelyn, 630. He was sore alonged after a good meel.
1535. Coverdale, Ps. xlii. 1. Like as the hert desyreth [1611 panteth after] the water brokes, So longeth my soule after the, o God.
1642. Rogers, Naaman, 479. An ardent affection after it, as one that is famished.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 57 (1806), II. 64. Will Ubi, who is so thirsty after the reputation of a companion.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 301. A prevailing desire after a peaceable accommodation.
1800. Coleridge, Wallenstein, II. iii. Because I Endeavoured after peace, therefore I fall.
1842. Macaulay, Ess. (1848), II. 144. He was greedy after power with a greediness all his own.
1854. Thackeray, Newcomes, I. v. 52. This brave man thought ever of his absent child, and longed after him.
1879. C. Geikie, Life of Christ, lvi. 678. The priesthood had striven after kingly power and rank.
II. Of time.
6. Following in the succession of time; in succession to.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John i. 30. Æfter me cymð wer þe me beforan ʓeworden wæs.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 75. And ic ou wile seggen word efter word.
1297. R. Glouc., 60. Þis Kymbel aftur hys fader kyng was of þis londe.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physic, 9/1. Doe this the continuance of 9 dayes after other, every morning.
1611. Bible, John i. 20. After me cometh a man which is preferred before me.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, vii. 115. They are not good to be taken after meat. [Cf. Grace after Meat.]
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 262. And what was it to him who ruled after him? Ibid., II. 460. Turning out judge after judge, till the bench had been filled with men ready to obey implicitly the directions of the government.
1866. Sala, Barbary, 93. In front of the Grand Hotel gather group after group.
Mod. Time after time I urged him to do it.
7. Subsequent to a space of time; after the interval of, at the close of. In mod. usage after three months varies with three months after, the former emphasizing the interval.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvii. 63. After þrym daʓon ic arise.
c. 1160. Hatton Gosp., ibid. Æfter þreom daʓen ic arise.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, I. 40. The land … Lay desolat eftyr hys day.
1382. Wyclif, Matt. xxvii. 63. After thre dayes I shal ryse aȝen.
1526. Tindale, ibid. After thre dayes I will aryse agayne.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), Then after fourtene yeres I vvent vp againe to Hierusalem [Wycl. fourtene ȝeer aftir; Tind. xiiii. yeares after that; Cranm. xiiii yeres thereafter; Genev. & 1611 fourtene yeres after].
1625. Hart, Anat. Ur., II. v. 80. After a while she fell into a night feauer.
1641. French, Distill. (1651), v. 109. They will after a time contract a mucilaginous slimie matter.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), II. XIII. i. 283. After putting garrisons in these places, he marched for Tavriz.
1877. Brockett, Cross & Cresc., 185. After ages of submission, either nominal or real, they became restless and rebellious.
Mod. After two years’ absence Richard returned to England. After a long interval the task was resumed.
8. Subsequent to or later than a point of time. (Not necessarily in immediate sequence.) After hours: after the regular hours of work or service.
a. 855. O. E. Chron., an. 774. Æfter sunnan setlgonge.
c. 1200. Trin. Coll. Hom., 47. On þe ehteðe dai efter his burþe.
1297. R. Glouc., 407. Anon after Mydsomer þys batayle ydo was.
1384. Chaucer, Leg. G. Wom., 580. Afftyr the deth of Tholome … Reynede his queen Cleopatras.
c. 1440. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 25. Eftire þis sall þou wiete whilke ere þe ten comandementis.
1587. Holinshed, Scot. Chron. (1806), II. 117. Adrian the … legat came too late, as who should say, a day after the faire.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 14. Æternal lyffe … for ye chosin eftir deathe.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. i. § i. (1873). The narration may be before the fact as well as after.
1611. Bible, Jos. x. 14. There was no day like that, before it, or after it.
1641. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Minute Bk. (1855), 98. Four dayes efter your receipt heirof.
1832. Ht. Martineau, Hill & Valley, viii. 124. It was long after dark.
1861. Trafford (Mrs. Riddell), City & Suburb, III. 293. One night after hours he borrowed the sketch.
1879. Tennyson, Lover’s T., 74. The eleventh moon After their marriage.
Mod. (in Dickens). I’ll work after hours and finish it.
9. Of temporal and logical sequence: Subsequent to and in consequence of.
a. 1000. Beowulf, 3216. Þá þæt sweord ongan æfter heaþoswáte wanian.
c. 1280. E. E. Poems, 20. Anoþer wol after þan · areri cuntake.
1475. Caxton, Jason, 35 b. After that I understonde by your wordes.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. VII. xcii. 426. After what has been said … we may contemplate the superior charms of liberty.
1877. Lytteil, Landmarks, I. iv. 34. After what has been already said, any one will readily see that Kampsus is simply the usual and idiomatic contraction of kamp’s hús.
Mod. After his behavior to his parents, what could you expect?
10. Of temporal sequence and logical opposition: Subsequent to and notwithstanding. esp. in after all.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., V. i. 347. Harke how the villaine would close now, After his treasonable abuses.
1710. Palmer, Proverbs, 69. After all our complaints of the lawyers and the law, there is no man in this kingdom too big for either.
1876. Trevelyan, Macaulay, iii. 113. After all, as far as your verses are concerned.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. ii. 20. The Roman occupation was, after all, very superficial.
Mod. That he should continue his visits after such a rebuff is unaccountable.
III. Of order.
11. Next to in point of order or importance.
c. 1220. Ureisun of Ure Lefdi, 125. To þe one is al mi trust efter þine leoue sune.
c. 1230. St. Marh., 13. Ich habbe efter bellzebub mest monnes bone ibeon.
1697. Dryden, Virgil, Pastorals, vii. 30. Codrus after Phœbussings the best.
1777. Sir W. Jones, Arcadia, 105. And after Pan thy lips will grace it best.
1864. Tennyson, En. Ard., 425. ‘I am content,’ he answer’d, ‘to be loved A little after Enoch.’
IV. Of manner.
† 12. Following as one follows a leader or guide; in obedience to, in compliance or harmony with, according to a law, will, word, advice. Obs.
c. 975. Rushw. Gosp., Luke ii. 22. Gifylled werun daʓas clænsunʓe his æfter æ Moyses.
a. 1000. Ags. Metr. Ps. cxviii. 149. Æfter ðinum domum do me hálne.
c. 1200. Ormul., 119. Eȝȝþerr here ȝede swa Rihht affterr godess lare.
1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 6132. Hys angels þan, aftir his wille, Sal first departe þe gude fra þe ille.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 2891. Wel sone dude þe Amyrel; after ys counseil riȝt.
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 21. Whether they haue obserued it [his command] after thye charge or nat.
1535. Coverdale, John xix. 7. After our lawe he ought to dye.
1598. Sylvester, Du Bartas, I. vii. (1641), 63/1. In his Name, beg boldly what we need (After his will).
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., III. II. IV. i. (1651), 536. To make good musick of their own voices, and dance after it.
b. In compliance with the wishes of.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Wyf of B., 406. And eek I pray to Jhesus schort her lyves, That wil nought be governed after her wyves [6– text bi].
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 209. Pylate, do after us, And dam to deth Jesus.
† c. In accordance with the statements of; according to (an author). Obs. or ? arch.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 230/4. She bad that the passyon after luke shold be redde.
1586. Cogan, Haven of Health (1636), 30. Oates, after Galen, have like nature as Barlie.
13. In accordance with, according to a custom, wont, fashion, manner, kind, sort, example, pattern.
a. 1000. Cædmon, Gen. (Grein), 396. He hæfþ mon ʓeworhtne æfter his onlîcnesse.
c. 1250. Gen. & Exod., 1652. And kiste hire aftre kindes wune.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, K iij. To be charytable after thexemplary of our Lady.
1528. Gardiner, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., 47, I. 90. After a homely and familiar manner.
1577. St. Aug. Manuell, 73. Looke after what sort thou showest thy selfe towards God.
1647. May, Hist. Parl., II. ii. 34. Their … cause lay bleeding in Ireland after so deplorable a kinde.
1668. Culpeper & Cole, trans. Barthol. Anat., I. viii. 17. The lower point of the Call is round after a sort.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 193, ¶ 3. The levée of a great man is laid after the same manner.
1855. Dickens, Dorrit, i. 1. Handsome after its kind.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 292. The oath of office was administered after the Scotch fashion.
1864. ‘Holme Lee,’ Silver Age (1865), I. 142. Typifying, after a fashion, the make-shift perilous way.
1871. Smiles, Character, iii. (1876), 74. Companionship after a sort.
1879. Carpenter, Ment. Physiol., I. ii. § 82. 85. To build after one particular pattern.
b. ellipt. After the nature of; according to.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., John viii. 15. Ȝe demað æfter flǽsce.
c. 1200. Ormul., Ded. 2. Nu broþerr Wallterr, broþerr min Affterr þe flæshess kinde.
1382. Wyclif, Rom. viii. 1. Þat not aftir the fleisch wandren but after the spirit.
1534. Tindale, ibid. Which walke not after the flesshe, but after the sprete. [1588 Rheims according to the flesh.] 1611 ibid., Who walke not after the flesh, but after the spirit.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. N. T., Matt. i. 1. His reputed Legal Father after the flesh.
1882. G. Smith, in Gd. Wds., March, 212. A man after his own heart.
14. After the manner of; in imitation of; like.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 5418. More hy than olyfaunz. Blake heueded after a palfray.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, V. 1613. Tilde vpon Tiber after Troy like.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, b viij. That she be arayed after the good ladyes of the countre.
c. 1570. Thynne, Pride & Lowl. (1841), 30. And [they] were clothed after citizens.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 228, ¶ 4. I must … copy after an old Almanack which I have by me.
1795. Gibbon, Autobiog., 74. After his oracle Dr. Johnson, my friend … denies all original genius.
1839. Hallam, Hist. Lit., III. iii. v. § 17. 240. Some are said to dress after a lady for whom nature has done more than for themselves.
b. To name after.
1297. R. Glouc., 61. Juli the emperour … Hadde afteir hym y-clepud a moneth in the ȝer.
1480. Caxton, Chron. Eng., iv. 9. And Corin called it after his name cornewayle.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 491. A succession of bands designated, as was the fashion of that age, after their leaders.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 190. Whether surnamed after the Hebrew King or not.
c. To model, draw, compose after.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, XXI. 8758. A meruelous ymage … Amyt after Ector, abill of shap.
1762. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786). II. 52. Nicholas, the second son … while abroad modelled after the antiques.
1845. Mrs. Jameson, Handbk. Publ. Galleries, 311. The appearance of being engraved after a drawing by Giulio Romano. Ibid., 313. Venus and Cupid … a copy after Titian. Ibid. (1850), Sacr. & Leg. Art, 1. We cannot turn over a portfolio of prints after the old masters.
Mod. (Titles) ‘Wednesday Afternoon’ (after Longfellow). ‘Jubilate’ (after the mediæval Latin hymns.
15. In a manner answering to, proportionate to, befitting, suiting. arch.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gen. i. 25. God ʓeworhte þære eorðan deor æfter hira híwum.
c. 1230. Ancren Riwle, 126. Ase dude þe lefdi Iudit, efter hire efne.
1391. Chaucer, Astrolabe (1560), 251/2. All the Sterres of the South arisen after the degree of her longitude.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Absol. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 49. The … charge … schal be more or less, after their long or schorte abode.
1549. Latimer, 7 Serm. bef. Edw. VI. (1869), 51. Cut thy cloth after the mesure.
1611. Bible, Ps. xxviii. 4. Giue them after the worke of their handes. [Wyclif aftir ther werkis.]
a. 1626. Bacon, Consid. War w. Spain, Misc. Wks. (1670), 1 (J.). He … takes greatness of Kingdoms according to their Bulk and Currency, and not after their intrinsique Value.
1714. Ellwood, Hist. his Life (1765), 234. We followed after our own Pace.
16. At the rate of (obs.); at (the rate of).
1530. A proper Dyaloge (1863), 15. Oure clargye lyue nothynge after their rate.
1587. Harrison, England, II. i. (1877), 24. If these paie after foure shillings for land, the cleargie contribute commonlie after six shillings of the pound.
1642. Lanc. Tracts of Civ. War (1844), 62. To be repayed with satisfaction after eight pounds per Cent.
1643. Slingsby, Diary (1836), 94. Have their pay after 6 shillings a week.
1702. Lond. Gaz., mmmdcccxxi/8. After the Rate of 12s. per Gallon.
1882. Charter-party, On being paid Freight at and after the rate of—shillings sterling per ton.
C. conj. or conj. adv. (elliptically from prep.).
1. Of time: † a. with antecedent and relative. Obs.
c. 1000. Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxvi. 32. Æfter þam þe ic of deaþe arise.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 51. Efter þan þet þe mon bið dead.
c. 1200. Ormul., 7667. Affterr þatt tatt he wass dæd.
b. with relative particle only. arch.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., Luke ii. 22. And æfter ðon gefylled were daʓas clænsunʓes his … lædon hine in Hierusalem.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 139. Efter þet ure drihten hefde þet folc adreint.
c. 1297. R. Glouc. 230. After that Saxons and Englysse verst come thys lond to.
1382. Wyclif, Jer. xxxvi. 27. After that the king hadde brent the volum.
1535. Coverdale, ibid. After now that the kynge had brente the boke. 1611 ibid. After that the king had burnt the roule.
1880. Lewis & Short, Lat. Dict., Postquam, after that, after.
c. simply.
c. 1360. Wyclif, De Dot. Eccl., 22. Aftir he hadde take þe hooli Goost.
1366. Maundev., 174. After thei han slayn them.
1526. Tindale, Matt. xxvi. 32. After I am rysen ageyne. [Wyclif After that I schal rise aȝen.] 1611 ibid. After I am risen againe.
1588. A. King, trans. Canisius’ Catech., 31. Efter we knaw the law maker, we may rewerence him ye mair.
1753. Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. V. lxv. 298. After the Portuguese had settled themselves in East India.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 10. A few days after the Revolution had been accomplished.
† 2. Of manner: According as. Obs.
a. with antecedent and relative.
c. 1200. Moral Ode, 358. Sume habbed more after þan þe hi dude her.
b. with relative particle (that or as).
c. 1375. Lay-Folks Mass-bk., B. 8. After þat (þo boke) tellis.
c. 1394. P. Pl. Crede, 732. But after þat his wynnynge is · is his well-fare.
1426. Audelay, Poems, 18. Uche preson schuld have his part after that he had ned.
1464–6. Marg. Paston, in Lett., 52, IV. 196. It is solde rythe well aftyr þat the wole was.
1506. Ord. Crysten Men (W. de Worde), II. ix. 112. After as saynt Gregory sayth.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, xiv. 201. After as any of these three powers doe reigne and beare sway.
c. simply.
c. 1440. Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. (1867), 7. Ilke cristene mane awe … to take efter his elde es.
1483. Caxton, G. de la Tour, d iij b. Bere honoure … to euery one after he is worthy.
1634. Malory’s Arthur (1816), I. 22. Every knight after he was of prowess.
D. Phr. at after. (Still used in the north.)
1. prep. Used where we should now use after alone, to indicate time when. (The after may in some cases belong to the sb. following; cf. AFTERNOON.)
c. 1386. Chaucer, Squires T., 294. At after souper goth this noble king To seen this hors of bras.
1521. Bradshaw, St. Werburge (1848), 95. At after matyns she vsed contemplacyon. Ibid., 193. On saynt Katharins day at after mydnyght.
1523. Fitzherbert, Husbandry (1534), D ij b. Lode oute his dounge before none, and lode heye or corne at after none.
2. adv. Afterwards.
a. 1641. Strafford, Lett., in Southey’s C. Pl. Bk. (1849), II. 172. Let shame cover me at after as a cloak.
