or¹ Definition
or (ôr)
a coordinating conjunction introducing an alternative; specif.,
- introducing the second of two possibilities beer or wine
- introducing any of the possibilities in a series, but usually used only before the last apples or pears or plums; apples, pears, or plums
- introducing a synonymous word or phrase botany, or the science of plants
- introducing the second of two possibilities when the first is introduced by either or whether either go or stay; decide whether to go or stay
- Old Poet. substituted for either or whether as the first correlative “or in the heart or in the head”
Etymology: ME, in form a contr. of other, auther, either, but actually < OE oththe (in āther ... oththe, either ... or)
or² Definition
or (ôr)
or³ Definition
or (ôr)
noun
Heraldry the representation of the metal gold: indicated in engravings by small black dots on a white field
Etymology: Fr < L aurum, gold: for IE base see east
OR Definition
OR
- operating room
- Oregon
or Synonyms
or
conj.
A suggestion of choice
or only, or but, as an alternative, as a choice, as a substitute, on the other hand, in turn, conversely, in other words, or else, in preference to, preferentially; see also either.A suggestion of correction
or not, or not exactly, in reverse, reversing it, on the contrary, contrary to, oppositely, or rather, instead of, correctly speaking; see also instead, rather 2.A suggestion of approximation
roughly, about, practically; see approximately.

