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mean time, ˈmeantime, n. and adv.
[Properly two words (see mean a.2 and time n.), and still often so written in the phrases, less frequently when used alone as an adv.]
A. as n., chiefly in various adverbial phrases.
1. in the mean time.
a. During or within the time which intervenes between one specified period or event and another; while something is going on, ‘at the same time’, ‘all the while’. † Also, in the same sense, in mean time, in that (this, which, etc.) mean time. † in the mean time of: during.
1340Ayenb. 36 Hi [sc. hire bestes] sterueþ ine mene-time: do oþre ine hare stede ase moche worþ. 1382Wyclif 1 Macc. ix. 1 In the mene tyme [Vulg. interea]. c1420Lydg. Assembly of Gods 946 In thys mene tyme whyle [etc.]. 1447O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 20 In the mene tyme of hyr preyer They rent hyr flesh on every syde. 1502in Lett. Rich. III & Hen. VII (Rolls) II. 108 In the moyne time he wold commune with the lord Nasso. c1520Barclay Jugurth (1557) 42 Wherfore (in meane tyme whyle they were counselling) he [etc.]. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 12 b, In the whiche meane tyme not one of them all miscaryed. 1575–6Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 479 Eftir the committing of the foirsaidis oppressionis in the menetyme of his being at the said Lord Regent complening thairupoun. 1638H. Spelman in Lett. Lit. Men (Camden) 155 In the mean tyme you would applie your self to the antientest Authors. 1740tr. De Mouhy's Fort. Country-Maid (1741) I. 112 In mean time the People, surpris'd at what had happened, crowded to the Altar. 1818Cruise Digest (ed. 2) IV. 264 The uses..which only take place in the meantime, and until the appointment is made. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. iv. I. 467 In the meantime the king would be an object of aversion and suspicion to his people.
b. Used (like at the same time, etc.) in adversative or concessive sense: While this is true; still, nevertheless. ? Obs.
1633Bp. Hall Occas. Medit. (1851) 141 If ought hurt us, the fault is ours; in mistaking the evil for good: in the mean time, we owe praise to the Maker. 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 82 Some who making a shew of..pastimes, doe in the meane time under that pretence entertaine..most dangerous plottes. 1809Syd. Smith Serm. II. 113 In the mean time, there are many habits of thought [etc.]. 1843A. Bethune Sc. Fireside Stor. 49 In the meantime, you know that my father [etc.].
†2. Without prep. the mean time, this mean time: = ‘in the mean time’, 1 a. Obs.
c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xvi. (Magdalena) 986 Þe mentyme þe magdelaine criste in his luf sa cane inflame, þat [etc.]. c1450Life St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 1745 Bot all þis meen tyme, nyghtes and dayes, Cuthbert for þair heele prayes. 1597J. King On Jonas (1618) 533 To be iustified the meane-time, or hereafter to bee glorified and liue by them. 1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. iii. iv. 25. 1700 Blackmore Job 91 While the mean time the just and godlike kind From heav'n and earth alike hard measure find.
3. for the mean time: so long as the interval lasts. Also predicatively: Intended to serve for the interim.
1480Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxxxviii. 263 Whan he was yeue to ony occupacion he left al other thyng for the mene tyme and tendid therto. 1509Fisher Funeral Serm. C'tess Richmond Wks. (1876) 305 Tho the rysynge of the body be delayed for a season, the soule neuertheles shall for the meane tyme haue a pleasaunt & a swete lyfe. 1897Daily News 17 Feb. 3/2 This order was for the meantime.
4. attrib. Provisional, temporary. rare.
1840Browning Sordello ii. 755 Praise and blame Of what he said grew pretty nigh the same—Meantime awards to meantime acts. 1873― Red Cott. Nt.-cap 1322 The lost sheep's meantime amusements.
B. adv.
1. = in the mean time, A. 1 a.
1588Shakes. L.L.L. ii. i. 169 Meane time, receiue such welcome at my hand, As Honour..may Make tender of, to thy true worthinesse. 1597J. King On Jonas (1618) 501 What auaileth it to abstaine from eating and drinking, if meane time we eate and deuour vp our brethren? 1632Holland Cyrupœdia 144 Meane time whiles they came togither, those foreriders who had skowred the plaines, brought with them certaine men. 1782F. Burney Cecilia vi. vii, Mean-time, evidently offended..[he] conversed only with the gentlemen. 1824Southey Ess. (1832) II. 201, I..trusted that, meantime, a kind and generous heart would resist the effect of fatal opinions. 1842J. W. Orderson Creol. viii. 76 The ladies, meantime, were on the qui vive. 1879McCarthy Own Times II. 259 Meantime where was Lord Palmerston?
†2. = in the mean time, A. 1 b. Obs.
1593Shakes. Lucr. Ded. 5 Were my worth greater, my duety would shew greater, meane time, as it is, it is bound to your Lordship. 1681tr. Belon's Myst. Physick 64 Mean time, it may be said in general, that part of those Rules [etc.]. |