Search, browse, and study this dictionary to learn more about the early American, Christian language. ![](/images/transparent.gif)
1828.mshaffer.com › Word [or]
OR, a termination of Latin nouns, is a contraction of vir, a man, or from the same radix. The same word vir, is in our mother tongue, wer, and from this we have the English termination er. It denotes an agent, as in actor, creditor. We annex it to many words of English origin, as in lessor, as we do er to words of Latin and Greek origin, as in astronomer, laborer. In general, or is annexed to words of Latin, and er to those of English origin.OR, conj. [It seems that or is a mere contraction of other.] A connective that marks an alternative. "You may read or may write;" that is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It corresponds to either. You may either ride to London, or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or propositions, presenting a choice of either. He may study law or medicine or divinity, or he may enter into trade.Or sometimes begins a sentence, but in this case it expresses an alternative with the foregoing sentence. Matt. 7 and 9.In poetry, or is sometimes used for either.For thy vast bounties are so numberless, that them or to conceal or else to tell is equally impossible.Or is often used to express an alternative of terms, definitions or explanations of the same thing in different words. Thus we say, a thing is a square, or a figure under four equal sides and angles.Or ever. In this phrase, or is supposed to be a corruption of ere.OR, in heraldry, gold. [L. aurum.]
|
Evolution (or devolution) of this word [or]
1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
OR, a termination of Latin nouns, is a contraction of vir, a man, or from the same radix. The same word vir, is in our mother tongue, wer, and from this we have the English termination er. It denotes an agent, as in actor, creditor. We annex it to many words of English origin, as in lessor, as we do er to words of Latin and Greek origin, as in astronomer, laborer. In general, or is annexed to words of Latin, and er to those of English origin.OR, conj. [It seems that or is a mere contraction of other.] A connective that marks an alternative. "You may read or may write;" that is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It corresponds to either. You may either ride to London, or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or propositions, presenting a choice of either. He may study law or medicine or divinity, or he may enter into trade.Or sometimes begins a sentence, but in this case it expresses an alternative with the foregoing sentence. Matt. 7 and 9.In poetry, or is sometimes used for either.For thy vast bounties are so numberless, that them or to conceal or else to tell is equally impossible.Or is often used to express an alternative of terms, definitions or explanations of the same thing in different words. Thus we say, a thing is a square, or a figure under four equal sides and angles.Or ever. In this phrase, or is supposed to be a corruption of ere.OR, in heraldry, gold. [L. aurum.] | OR, conj. [Sax. other; G. oder. It seems that or is a contraction of other. “Tell us by what auctoritie thou doest these thynges. Other who is he that gave the thys auctorite?” – Tyndale's New Testament.]A connective that marks an alternative. “You may read or may write;” that is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It corresponds to either. You may either ride to London, or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or propositions, presenting a choice of either. He may study law or medicine or divinity, or he may enter into trade.
Or sometimes begins a sentence, but in this case it expresses an alternative with the foregoing sentence. – Matth. vii. and ix.
In poetry, or is sometimes used for either.
For thy vast bounties are so numberless, / That them or to conceal or else to tell / Is equally impossible. – Cowley.
Or is often used to express an alternative of terms, definitions or explanations of the same thing in different words. Thus we say, a thing is a square, or a figure under four equal sides and angles.
Or ever. In this phrase, or is a corruption of ere, Sax. aere, before; that is, before ever. OR, n.1A termination of Latin nouns, is a contraction of vir, a man, or from the same radix. The same word vir, is in our mother tongue, wer, and from this we have the English termination er.
It denotes an agent, as in actor, creditor. We annex it to many words of English origin, as in lessor, as we do er to words of Latin and Gr. origin, as in astronomer, laborer. In general, or is annexed to words of Latin, and er to those of English origin. OR, n.2 [Fr. or, L. aurum.]In heraldry, gold. [Expressed in engraving, by dots. – E. H. B.] | -or
- A noun suffix denoting an act; a
state or quality; as in error, fervor,
pallor, candor, etc.
- A particle that
marks an alternative; as, you may read or may write, -- that
is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It
corresponds to either. You may ride either to London
or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or
propositions, presenting a choice of either; as, he may study law,
or medicine, or divinity, or he may enter into
trade.
- Ere] before; sooner than.
- Yellow or gold color, --
represented in drawing or engraving by small dots.
- A noun suffix denoting an agent or
doer; as in auditor, one who hears; donor, one
who gives; obligor, elevator. It is correlative to -
ee. In general -or is appended to words of Latin, and -
er to those of English, origin. See -er.
|
1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
Thank you for visiting!
- Our goal is to try and improve the quality of the digital form of this dictionary being historically true and accurate to the first American dictionary. Read more ...
- Below you will find three sketches from a talented artist and friend depicting Noah Webster at work. Please tell us what you think.
Divine Study
![Divine Study Divine Study](/images/WebsterSketch01-small.jpg) ![Divine Study Divine Study](/images/WebsterSketch01-large.jpg) Divine Study
|
Window of Reflection
![Window of Reflection Window of Reflection](/images/WebsterSketch02-small.jpg) ![Window of Reflection Window of Reflection](/images/WebsterSketch02-large.jpg) Window of Reflection
|
Enlightening Grace
![Enlightening Grace Enlightening Grace](/images/WebsterSketch03-small.jpg) ![Enlightening Grace Enlightening Grace](/images/WebsterSketch03-large.jpg) Enlightening Grace
|
141
|
910 |
107
|
982 |
174
|
1018 |
Or OR, a termination of Latin nouns, is a contraction of vir, a man, or from the same radix. The same word vir, is in our mother tongue, wer, and from this we have the English termination er.
It denotes an agent, as in actor, creditor. We annex it to many words of English origin, as in lessor, as we do er to words of Latin and Greek origin, as in astronomer, laborer. In general, or is annexed to words of Latin, and er to those of English origin.
OR, conjunction [It seems that or is a mere contraction of other.]
A connective that marks an alternative. 'You may read or may write; ' that is, you may do one of the things at your pleasure, but not both. It corresponds to either. You may either ride to London, or to Windsor. It often connects a series of words or propositions, presenting a choice of either. He may study law or medicine or divinity, or he may enter into trade.
OR sometimes begins a sentence, but in this case it expresses an alternative with the foregoing sentence. Matthew 7:4 and 9.
In poetry, or is sometimes used for either.
For thy vast bounties are so numberless, that them or to conceal or else to tell is equally impossible.
OR is often used to express an alternative of terms, definitions or explanations of the same thing in different words. Thus we say, a thing is a square, or a figure under four equal sides and angles.
OR ever. In this phrase, or is supposed to be a corruption of ere.
OR, in heraldry, gold. [Latin aurum.]
|
![](/images/amazon-button.gif)
|
Hard-cover Edition |
340 |
![](/images/amazon-091249803X.jpg) |
520 |
|
Compact Edition |
324 |
![](/images/amazon-1434103013.jpg) |
227 |
|
CD-ROM |
280 |
![](/images/amazon-B00O3T2AP2.jpg) |
186 |
|
* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
[ + ] |
Add Search To Your Site |
|
|