Hypertext Webster Gateway: "than"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Than \Than\ ([th][a^]n), conj. [OE. than, thon, then, thanne,
thonne, thenne, than, then, AS. [eth]anne, [eth]onne,
[eth][ae]nne; akin to D. dan, OHG. danne, G. dann then, denn
than, for, Goth. [thorn]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. --Matt. xii.
42.
Which when Beelzebub perceived, than whom, Satan
except, none higher sat. --Milton.
It's wiser being good than bad; It's safer being meek
than fierce; It's fitter being sane than mad. --R.
Browning.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Than \Than\, adv.
Then. See {Then}. [Obs.] --Gower.
Thanne longen folk to gon on pilgrimages. --Chaucer.
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