meanwhile English · revision 5029

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=compound|attested=a. 1382|origins=en mean, en while}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌmiːnˈwaɪl/, /ˈmiːn.waɪl/, US /ˈmiːn.waɪl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|mene while]], formed from [[mean]] “middle, intermediate” and [[while]] (noun).^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ As a noun, the meantime, the interval between one time and another: the late 14th century in Etymonline, before 1382 in the Historical Thesaurus.^(Etymonline)^(HTOED) As an adverb, during that time: the late 14th century in Etymonline, 1440 in the Historical Thesaurus.^(Etymonline)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a noun it is properly two words but is commonly written as one, after the adverb.^(Etymonline) In the adversative sense, “on the other hand, nevertheless”, it is from 1597.^(HTOED) The noun now survives mainly in the phrase ''in the meanwhile'', and is otherwise rare.^(SOED 2002)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * a. 1382 – noun, the meantime.^(HTOED)

+ * 1440 – adverb, in the meantime.^(HTOED)

+ * 1597 – on the other hand.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # During the time between two events.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # At the same time, especially in another place.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Used to compare two things: on the other hand.^(HTOED)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # The time in between; the [[meantime]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[meantime]]

+ * [[mean]]

+ * [[while]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}