Etymology : Middle English than, then then, than; more at THEN
Pronunciation : [
th]&n, [
th]
Function : conjunction
Date : before 12th century
1. prep. as compared to. conj. from. than\than\, adv. then. see:
then. [obs.] thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages.than \than\ (&thlig;ăn), conj. [oe. than, thon, then, thanne, thonne, thenne, than, then, as. ?anne, ?onne, ??nne; akin to d. dan, ohg. danne, g. dann then, denn than, for, goth. ?an then, and to e. the, there, that. see:
that, and cf. then.] a particle expressing comparison, used after certain adjectives and adverbs which express comparison or diversity, as more, better, other, otherwise, and the like. it is usually followed by the object compared in the nominative case. sometimes, however, the object compared is placed in the objective case, and than is then considered by some grammarians as a preposition. sometimes the object is expressed in a sentence, usually introduced by that; as, i would rather suffer than that you should want. behold, a greater than solomon is here. xii.
2. which when beelzebub perceived, than whom, satan except, none higher sat. it's wiser being good than bad; it's safer being meek than fierce; it's fitter being sane than mad. browning.
3. A particle expressing comparison, used after certain adjectives and adverbs which express comparison or diversity, as more, better, other, otherwise, and the like.
4. It is usually followed by the object compared in the nominative case.
5. Sometimes, however, the object compared is placed in the objective case, and than is then considered by some grammarians as a preposition.
6. Sometimes the object is expressed in a sentence, usually introduced by that; as, I would rather suffer than that you should want.
7. Then.
8. See Then.
9. than WEAK STRONG.
10. You use than after a comparative adjective or adverb in order to link two parts of a comparison. The radio only weighs a few ounces and is smaller than a cigarette packet Indian skins age far more slowly than American or Italian ones. Than is also a conjunction. He wished he could have helped her more than he did Sometimes patients are more depressed six months later than when they first hear the bad news.
11. You use than when you are stating a number, quantity, or value approximately by saying that it is above or below another number, quantity, or value. They talked on the phone for more than an hour. the three-match Test series in England, starting in less than two months time.
12. You use than in order to link two parts of a contrast, for example in order to state a preference. The arrangement was more a formality than a genuine partnership of two nations.
13. less than: see:
less more than: see more more often than not: see often other than: see other rather than: see rather.