moreover

Pronunciation

• IPA: /moɹˈoʊ.vɚ/; /mɔːˈɹəʊ.və/ (UK)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from the adverbs more and over.^[2][3][4] SOED notes that it was originally written separately.^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

In the phrase and yet more over, that is not all: about 1374 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^[5][2]

Semantic evolution

Written as one word from the late 14th century,^[2] it was used at the beginning of a clause or parenthetically to introduce further information from 1382.^[5] More, in excess, was a sense from Middle English to the early 16th century.^[4] As a preposition, besides, it was used from 1390 and is obsolete.^[5]

Timeline

• c. 1374 – and yet more over.^[5]
• 1382 – introducing a further point.^[5]
• 1390 – besides (preposition, obsolete).^[5]

Modern meaning

Adverb

1. As a further matter; besides; in addition.

Related words

• more
• over
• furthermore
• besides

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
4. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press