than
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than definition
than (t̸han)
conjunction
- introducing the second element in a comparison, following an adjective or adverb in the comparative degree: if the first element is a subject, object, predicate nominative, etc., the second element is construed in the same way: [he is taller than I; she arrived earlier than the others; Mom liked you better than me]: sometimes, informally, this use of than is construed as a preposition and the second element as its object [he is taller than me]
- expressing exception, following an adjective or adverb none other than Sam
- when: used esp. following an inverted construction introduced by scarcely, hardly, barely, etc. scarcely had I seen her than she spoke to me
- indicating difference or distinction, as:: this mainly informal use of than with different and differently is objected to by some
- introducing an adverbial clause Paris was different than I'd thought it would be
- linking nouns or pronouns her story is different than his
Etymology: ME than, thene, thonne < OE thenne, thanne, thonne, orig., then: for IE base see that
compared with: chiefly in the phrase than whom (or which), compared or in comparison with whom (or which) a writer than whom there is none finer
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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MLA Style
"than." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/than>
APA Style
than. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/than

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