α. Middle English–1600s agoo, Middle English– ago, 1500s–1700s agoe.
β. 1500s of goo.
agoadj.adv.
/əˈɡəʊ/, U.S. /əˈɡoʊ/ A. adj.
With reference to a period of time: that has gone by, that is in the past; elapsing before the present time or the time in question. Predominantly and now only following the noun, forming an adverbial phrase indicating remoteness in time from the present.See also many moons ago at moon n.1 6a, a spell ago at spell n.3 4d, of yore ago at yore adv. 4a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adjective] > ago
agoc1330
agonec1405
bygonea1745
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 1695 (MED) It was ago fif ȝer Þat he was last þer.
c1415 (c1395) G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Tale (Lansd.) (1872) l. 863 I speke of mony a .C. ȝere a-go.
?c1450 tr. Bk. Knight of La Tour Landry (1906) 158 (MED) It is not yet longe tyme agoo that suche custume was vsed.
1529 T. More Dyaloge Dyuers Maters ii. i. f. xlixv/2 Now quyte gone manye yerys ago.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 60 Not many yerys of goo.
1625 T. Tuke Conc. Holy Eucharist 26 These lines subnexed were brought me by a friend some eighteene months agoe.
1680 R. L'Estrange State & Interest of Nation 8 That High and Mighty Butcher, who, not many years ago was commissioned by the Swisses, as one of the Chiefs to be God-Father to the French Kings Son.
1718 Free-thinker No. 51. 2 Some Years ago, they were remarkable for the Narrowest Hats in the Kingdom.
1753 D. Hume Let. 5 Jan. (1932) I. 170 About seven months ago, I got a house of my own.
1775 A. Burnaby Trav. Middle Settlements N.-Amer. 43 The town was begun about thirty-two years ago, for the sake of carrying on a trade with the back-settlers.
1825 H. Smith Gaieties & Gravities I. 137 In Thebes's streets three thousand years ago.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch II. xxvii. 81 ‘What a late comer you are!’ she said, as they shook hands. ‘Mamma had given you up a little while ago.’
1921 Amer. Gas Engin. Jrnl. 8 Jan. 44/3 There were quite a number of cases a year ago, but the number abated for a while.
1966 F. Nwapa Efuru vii. 150 ‘I remember you were to marry somebody some time ago. What happened?’ ‘Her parents refused to let her marry me. It was a long time ago.’
2009 S. Craven Ruthless Awakening 32 We agreed on the guest lists ages ago.
B. adv.
In the past, before the present time or the time in question. Chiefly (now only) with long. †late ago: not a long time ago, recently (obsolete). long ago: a long time ago.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] > ago
agoc1350
sitha1375
hencea1382
sithena1400
agone1420
sin1490
sithence1537
since1555
syne1573
ygo1579
aback1768
back1797
pass1971
the world > time > relative time > the past > [adverb] > long ago
yorec900
for longOE
langer1303
long agoc1350
far1362
for yorea1375
of yore ago(ne)a1375
long time1376
of olda1393
anciently1502
langsyne?a1513
oldlya1513
in old season1582
old1609
antiquely1652
then-a-days1688
(the) year one1754
way back1870
in yore1876
way back when1921
c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 100 (MED) Nauȝt fern ago.
c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. xviii. l. 271 I þis lord knowe, [it] is longe ago I knewe him.
1431 Petition (P.R.O.) 25. 1238 (MED) But late ago he boght..certain wolles.
1450 in H. Anstey Epistolae Academicae Oxon. (1898) I. 304 (MED) Hit hath plesed youre noble ladishippe but late ago to shew unto us grete liberalite.
c1450 (c1370) G. Chaucer Complaint unto Pity (Fairf. 16) (1871) l. 1 Pite that I haue sought so yore agoo.
1568 Bible (Bishops') Matt. xi. 20 They had repented long ago in sackcloth and asshes.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 ii. iv. 84 Twas no longer ago than wedsday last. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Mark ix. 21 Howe long is it agoe since this came vnto him? View more context for this quotation
1632 R. Sherwood Dict. sig. Ttiijv/1, in R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (new ed.) Long agoe... How long is it agoe.
1649 Bp. J. Hall Resol. & Decisions ii. ii. 108 I have long agoe spent my opinion upon this point in a large epistolar discourse.
1696 J. Pechey tr. T. Sydenham Whole Wks. iv. vi. 160 Not long a go a very Virtuous and Noble Lady was committed to my care, who had the dangerous black Small-pox.
1744 W. Warburton Remarks Occas. Refl. 154 St. Paul himself has long ago moderated this Question for us, and declared for the negative.
1760 J. Wesley Let. 25 Feb. (1931) IV. 85 It is..a point, though considered long ago, worth considering again and again.
1793 Tour through Theatre of War 105 No longer ago than yesterday, some officers of the national volunteers, when I told them I had no lodgings to give them, threatened to hang me.
1837 W. Youatt Sheep vii. 272 The old farmers say that the breed longest ago remembered were freckled-faced, with a fair proportion of wool, neither long nor short.
1872 ‘Ouida’ Leaf in Storm 168 How long is it ago?—a day, a year?
1903 J. L. Long Sixty Jane vii. 25 All that happiness I had thought was but yesterday..was long, long ago.
1933 S. Walker Night Club Era 156 Some admirer long ago called the New York police ‘The Finest’.
1969 H. H. Vendler On Extended Wings vi. 149 Once, Lady Lowzen had been Flora, the goddess bestowing fertility; even longer ago she had been a figure like the Indian death goddess Kali.
2009 Guardian 17 Jan. (Review section) 15/3 Perhaps he left the working class so long ago he's forgotten that grindingly hard work for little reward tends to engender a certain fatalism.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
agov.
/əˈɡəʊ/, U.S. /əˈɡoʊ/ Now archaic or regional and rare.† 2. † 4. transitive (originally with dative object). To leave behind, escape from; to fall off. Obsolete.
1. intransitive (a) To move to another place; to go away, depart, leave; (b) to disappear, vanish; to be used up. Chiefly in past participle with to be.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going away > go away [verb (intransitive)]
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
atwendOE
awayOE
to wend awayOE
awendOE
gangOE
rimeOE
flitc1175
to fare forthc1200
depart?c1225
part?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
biwitec1300
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to draw awayc1330
passc1330
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
voidc1374
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
waive1390
to pass out ofa1398
avoida1400
to pass awaya1400
to turn awaya1400
slakec1400
wagc1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
muck1429
packc1450
recede1450
roomc1450
to show (a person) the feetc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
devoidc1485
rebatea1500
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
to go one's ways1530
retire?1543
avaunt1549
to make out1558
trudge1562
vade?1570
fly1581
leave1593
wag1594
to get off1595
to go off1600
to put off1600
shog1600
troop1600
to forsake patch1602
exit1607
hence1614
to give offa1616
to take off1657
to move off1692
to cut (also slip) the painter1699
sheera1704
to go about one's business1749
mizzle1772
to move out1792
transit1797–1803
stump it1803
to run away1809
quit1811
to clear off1816
to clear out1816
nash1819
fuff1822
to make (take) tracks (for)1824
mosey1829
slope1830
to tail out1830
to walk one's chalks1835
to take away1838
shove1844
trot1847
fade1848
evacuate1849
shag1851
to get up and get1854
to pull out1855
to cut (the) cable(s)1859
to light out1859
to pick up1872
to sling one's Daniel or hook1873
to sling (also take) one's hook1874
smoke1893
screw1896
shoot1897
voetsak1897
to tootle off1902
to ship out1908
to take a (run-out, walk-out, etc.) powder1909
to push off1918
to bugger off1922
biff1923
to fuck off1929
to hit, split or take the breeze1931
to jack off1931
to piss offa1935
to do a mick1937
to take a walk1937
to head off1941
to take a hike1944
moulder1945
to chuff off1947
to get lost1947
to shoot through1947
skidoo1949
to sod off1950
peel1951
bug1952
split1954
poop1961
mugger1962
frig1965
society > travel > aspects of travel > departure, leaving, or going away > depart, leave, or go away [verb (intransitive)]
to come awayeOE
wendeOE
i-wite971
ashakec975
shakeOE
to go awayOE
witea1000
afareOE
agoOE
awayOE
dealc1000
goOE
awendOE
rimeOE
to go one's wayOE
flitc1175
depart?c1225
partc1230
to-partc1275
atwitea1325
withdrawa1325
to turn one's (also the) backc1330
lenda1350
begonec1370
remuea1375
removec1380
to long awaya1382
twinc1386
to pass one's wayc1390
trussc1390
to turn awaya1400
returnc1405
to be gonea1425
recede1450
roomc1450
to come offc1475
to take one's licence1475
issue1484
walka1500
to go adieua1522
pikea1529
avaunt1549
trudge1562
vade?1570
discoast1571
leave1593
wag1594
to go off1600
troop1600
hence1614
to set on one's foota1616
to pull up one's stumps1647
quit1811
to clear out1816
slope1830
to walk one's chalks1835
shove1844
to roll out1850
to pull out1855
to light out1859
to take a run-out powder1909
to push off (also along)1923
OE Ælfric De Temporibus Anni (Cambr. Gg.3.28) (2009) vi. 88 On ðam [sc. Thule] ne bið nan niht on sumerlicum sunstede six dagum, forðan ðe seo sunne bið þonne swa feorr norð agan.
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xiv. 200 He abæd him ingang fram þam cyricweardum..þæt hi hine na ne nyddon, þæt he on deogle tid of ðære cyrican ut aeode [OE Otho ut eode; L. egredi non urguerent].
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 33 (MED) Nis nawiht þeos weorld, al heo aȝeð.
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Nero) (1952) 129 Hit kumeð lihtliche. ageð awei lihtliche.
c1300 Life & Martyrdom Thomas Becket (Harl. 2277) (1845) l. 2063 (MED) Tho this lithere Kniȝtes fram Seint Thomas were agon [c1300 Laud igon].
?c1335 in W. Heuser Kildare-Gedichte (1904) 111 Al hir ioi was ago.
c1450 (c1380) G. Chaucer House of Fame (Fairf. 16) (1878) l. 365 He Was forthe vnto his shippes agoon.
1483 tr. Adam of Eynsham Reuelation lviij The wownde so clene agonne, that no tokyn of hyt..remaynyd.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 8 (MED) Whenne I am a-go hens, no man woll trowe me.
?1567 M. Parker Whole Psalter xxvii. 106 Tho went I by: hys seate to spy, but lo (full soone) it was agone.
1586 J. Ferne Blazon of Gentrie 21 Our sheepe shearing feastes..been all agone.
1614 W. Browne Shepheards Pipe i. sig. B6v Forsooth mother, my ring is a goe, My Paramour to keepe I betooke it, And it is lost, for which I am full woe.
1674 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd ii. 76 The Author therefore..took a great fright lest all were ago.
1808 Monthly Mag. Dec. 421/2 The blue of the plum is ago, zure.
1849 W. M. Thackeray Pendennis (1850) I. xxvi. 250 No, Master Pendennis was agone out.
1867 W. F. Rock Jim an' Nell ii. 28 There's Dame an' Maister's chair; Wi' thick I zem they bâ'nt a-go.
1888 S. Baring-Gould Eve II. xlviii. 214 Mr. Jasper have agone to the wood, carrying a blanket.
1892 S. Hewett Peasant Speech Devon 45 Awl tha tatties be ago, missis; there idden wan a-layved.
1929 H. Williamson Beautiful Years (rev. ed.) 14 'I believe her to be a-go!' said Biddy, and sobbed.
1965 M. Young Miss MacIntosh, My Darling lxxi. 1008 If I was checking out, then I should say so, for if I would go, then I would be agone.
a. intransitive. With up. To ascend, go up, rise. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > forward movement > move forward or advance [verb (intransitive)]
wadeOE
agoOE
forthganga1000
forthgoOE
syeOE
kenc1275
to-stepc1275
vaunce1303
forthnima1325
passc1330
throc1330
forthpass1382
to pass forthc1384
to carry forthc1390
proceedc1392
to go alongc1400
to be forthwardc1430
get) groundc1436
to set onc1450
avauntc1460
pretend1481
to make way1490
advance?1507
to get forward1523
promove1570
to rid ground (also space)1572
to rid (the) way1581
progressa1586
to gather grounda1593
to make forth1594
to make on1597
to work up1603
perge1607
to work one's (also its) way1609
to pass on1611
to gain ground1625
to make its way1645
vadea1660
propagate1700
to gain one's way1777
further1789
to pull up1829
on1840
to make (up) ground1921
OE Ælfric Catholic Homilies: 1st Ser. (Royal) (1997) xxii. 354 Ða tengde se phareo æfter mid micelre fyrde, þa ða he com onmiddan þære sæ þa wæs þæt Godes folc up agan [a1225 Lamb. 487 up of þere se agan].
OE Ælfric De Temporibus Anni (Cambr. Gg.3.28) (2009) ix. 92 Pliade sind gehatene ða seofon steorran þe on hærfeste up agað & ofer ealne winter scinað.
OE Paris Psalter (1932) lxviii. 31 Ic þam leofan gode licie swyþor þonne æðele cealf, þeah þe him upp aga horn on heafde [L. cornua producentem].
b. intransitive. With in, into. To enter, go in. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
OE Vercelli Homilies (1992) xix. 321 Ac sona swa he wæs in agan on þæt scyp, þa gereste he hine on anum ende.
OE Ælfric Old Eng. Hexateuch: Num. (Claud.) xvi. 43 Moyses & Aaron efston mid fleame to Godes getelde, & þa ða hi in agan wæron, ða ætywde Godes wuldor.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 914 This Ianuarie..Into his fresshe gardyn is ago.
3. intransitive. Of time: to pass, elapse. Chiefly (now only) in past participle, originally and usually with to be.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > [verb (intransitive)]
overgoeOE
agoeOE
goOE
forthgoOE
runOE
overdrivea1275
farea1325
overmetea1325
walka1325
passc1330
slidec1374
yern1377
to pass overa1382
wastec1385
waive1390
to pass awaya1400
overseyc1400
drive?c1450
to drive ona1470
slevea1510
to roll awaya1522
to roll overa1522
to wear out, forth1525
flit1574
to pass on1574
to run on1578
overhie1582
wear1597
overslip1607
spend1607
travel1609
to go bya1616
elapsea1644
to come round1650
efflux1660
to roll round1684
lapse1702
roll1731
to roll around1769
to roll by1790
transpire1824
to come around1829
tide1835
elabe1837
tick1937
eOE Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Parker) Introd. Þy geare þe wæs agan fram Cristes acennesse cccc wintra & xciiii uuintra.
OE West Saxon Gospels: Mark (Corpus Cambr.) xvi. 1 Sæternes dæg wæs agan [L. transisset].
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iv. xvi. 285 & swa se æftra dæg & se þridda aeode, þæt symble þær wunode seo tostregde..wynsumnes þæs swetan stences.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15918 Þa elleue ȝer weoren on fast aȝeongen [c1300 Otho a-gon].
c1330 (a1250) Harrowing of Hell (Auch.) (1907) l. 215 (MED) Now a gode while is agon, Þat y suffred martirdom.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 2305 Þe day hym was ful neȝ agan.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 65 Ore VII. yere be a-go, More schall we here.
c1528 Everyman (1961) 194 The day passeth and is almoost ago.
1597 Trag. Guistard & Sismond i, in Certaine Worthye Manuscript Poems sig. B2v Till many of her lustie yeris were agoo, Her owne cruell fader did her all this woo.
1868 M. J. Kutz Wab-ah-see 165 I sit and think of songs that gushed In days that are agone.
1893 Harper's Mag. Aug. 446/1 Twelve year have agone.
1909 J. C. Spoth Knight in Homespun xxviii. 245 They saw in that childish gaiety a replica of their own little selves in the years that were agone.
1920 Photo-era Sept. 24/2 Old Man Hale, who began by making his own wetplates and carried a whole laboratory and darkroom on his then sturdy back in days that were and are agone!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > casting or laying aside > [verb (transitive)] > leave (behind)
let971
beleavec1175
forletc1200
agoc1275
to leave behindc1330
relinquish1548
c1275 in R. Morris Old Eng. Misc. (1872) 156 (MED) Nis non so strong ne sterch ne kene Þat mai ago [perh. read age; Laud agein; Maidstone a-ȝlye] deaþes wiþer-blench.
a1300 (?c1200) Prov. Alfred (Jesus Oxf.) (1955) 93 For þeyh his eyhte him a-go [a1250 Maidstone at-go], his wit ne a-goþ [Maidstone went] hym neuer-mo.
tr. Palladius De re Rustica (Duke Humfrey) (1896) ii. l. 379 (MED) And whan their huske agooth hem, they beth ripe.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.adv.c1330v.eOE