Definitions
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
- adv. For that reason or cause; consequently or hence.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
- For that; for this; for it; therefor.
- In return or recompense for this or for that.
- For that purpose or cause.
- For this or for that reason; on that account: referring to something previously stated; consequently; by consequence.
- Synonyms Therefore, Wherefore, Accordingly, Consequently, Then, So. All these words draw a conclusion or infer a consequence from what immediately precedes; they are all affected by their derivation or original meaning. Therefore, for this or that reason, on that account; wherefore, for which reason, on which account. Therefore is the most formal of the words, and is consequently most used in mathematics, logic, and elaborate argument. The use of wherefore for therefore is not to be commended, as it is considered a Latinism to use a relative pronoun or its derivative for a demonstrative or its derivative in carrying on a thought; the development of this principle is modern, and gives to the demonstrative use of wherefore a tone of quaintness. Accordingly and consequently are more common in essay and narrative writing; then and so in conversation, where brevity is most studied. The last four are more used to indicate practical sequences.
Wiktionary
- adv. For that or this purpose, referring to something previously stated.
- adv. Consequently, by or in consequence of that or this cause; referring to something previously stated.
GNU Webster's 1913
- For that or this reason, referring to something previously stated; for that.
- Consequently; by consequence.
WordNet 3.0
- adv. as a consequence
- adv. (used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
Etymologies
- Middle English : there, there; see there + for, fore, fore; see for.
Examples
“_Hence, therefore, why_, etc., used in making an inference or in expressing cause -- as, It is dark, _hence_, or _therefore_, the sun is down; _Why_ is it dark?”
Higher Lessons in English A work on english grammar and composition
“The term therefore refers to symbolic or cultural activities which do not contribute to capitalist production and accumulation and which potentially constitute a "radical negation" of productivist society.”
“Wrapped up in the term therefore is the idea of a "biodiversity crisis".”
“[2662] The title therefore does give proof of a certain authority of oversight or of action.”
“The title therefore is not unlike that of Royal or Imperial Highness in modern monarchies.”
“The term therefore implies that the third world is exploited, much as third estate French commoners were exploited. • the economically underdeveloped countries of Africa,”
“It is not pleonastic to speak of radioactive iodine because I (127), the naturally occurring isotope, is not radioactive; the term therefore refers to any of the other 23 isotopes known at present, all of which are radioactive.”
“All his children died infants; and the title therefore expired”
Internet Archive: Collins's peerage of England; genealogical, biographical, and historical
“The title therefore was imaginary, and the committee would recolleft, that in thofe old charters, the word burgeffesvizs not neceffarily a term of incorporation; but that it as frequently meant the tenants of burgage - pofleffions, according to the opinion of Lord Holt.”
Internet Archive: Reports of the proceedings before select committees of the House of commons
“This therefore is an open promise to hold a referendum come what may.”
Lists
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