soonn.
/suːn/, U.S. /sun/ rare.
The near future.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [noun] > the near or forseeable future
tomorrow?c1425
paulo-post-future1848
foreseeable future1932
soon1940
1940 W. Faulkner Hamlet iii. i. 166 They are moving not toward a destination in space but a destination in time..; the sleight hand of May shapes them both, not in the immediate, the soon, but in the now.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
soonadj.
/suːn/, U.S. /sun/ 1. Taking place, coming about, happening, etc., soon or quickly; early, speedy. Frequently U.S. dialect in a soon start (in the morning).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adjective] > early or quick
hiefulc1230
timelya1382
timefulc1384
soona1400
mature1600
verty1804
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adjective] > early or premature
rathe1340
soona1400
premature?1530
fore-ripeda1533
untimeousc1540
immature1548
overtimely1548
prematurate1570
oversoona1586
over-early1605
premiseda1616
prematured1692
unearthly1865
previous1869
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xxv. 49 Heil, sone boote þer bale is neih.
a1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 70 I haue proued þis ful oft tymez for to be most sone helpyng.
a1470 Dives & Pauper (1496) ix. iv. 352/1 Soone byleuynge of lesynges bryngeth people to moche folye.
1546 T. Langley tr. P. Vergil Abridgem. Notable Worke ii. 105 The olde proverbe is true; that as soone sowing some~time deceaveth, so late sowing is alway naught.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vii. 239 His hardned hart Smoothed the passage for their soone depart.
1621 F. Quarles Hadassa sig. Ev The proiect pleas'd the King, who made an Act To second what was said with soone effect.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 79 The soon decay I cannot impute to the Lead-sheathing.
1770 P. Luckombe Conc. Hist. Printing 350 Having too much wooll in them..will subject them to soon hardening.
1838 W. Holloway Gen. Dict. Provincialisms Soon,..the soon or early part of the night.
1891 M. M. Dowie Girl in Karpathians 287 A white mist, thick, in the soon-twilight to be impenetrable.
1913 H. Kephart Our Southern Highlanders xiii. 296 Spell is used in the sense of while..and soon for early (‘a soon start in the morning’).
1930 G. B. Johnson in B. A. Botkin Folk-Say vii. 357 Soon, early, quick, alert. ‘A soon breakfast’, ‘a soon man’.
1949 H. Hornsby Lonesome Valley ii. 21 People must have got a soon start, because the place was full up already.
1951 L. Craig Singing Hills iii. 18 The furrin woman wanted to get a soon start, come morning.
2. In comparative:† b. Former, previous. Obsolete. rare.
a. Earlier; more speedy or expeditious, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adjective] > early or quick > earlier or sooner
soonc1380
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. I. 235 But Crist tolde hem of sounere perils, þat was betere hem to knowe.
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Henry Percy f. xxviv Which that I might bring to the sooner ende, To the bishop of Yorke I did the matter breake.
1607 Statutes in M. H. Peacock Hist. Free Gram. School Wakefield (1892) 67 Unless in the mean tyme..a sooner daie of meetinge be appointed.
1665 J. Webb Vindic. Stone-Heng (1725) 90 For the sooner Dispatch, and saving of Cost.
1677 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire 110 There are no signs amongst them of sooner or later production.
1772 Ann. Reg. 1771 173/1 From the death, or any sooner determination of the interest therein, of John York, Esq.
1889 R. L. Stevenson Master of Ballantrae iii. 48 Which would give us safety for the present, and a sooner hope of deliverance.
ΚΠ
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xiv. xxxiv. 480 There growe vines and..apples of palmes as token of the sooner [MS. raþer] plente.
3. In superlative:
a. Earliest. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adjective] > first or prior to all others
formec888
eldestc897
firstlOE
originalc1350
foremosta1400
furthermost?a1400
primary?a1425
primatea1425
primea1500
arch1574
soon1591
origin1632
utter1634
premier1652
aboriginary1653
furthest1653
fontal1656
principial1699
première1768
protological1936
first-ever1955
1591 Parsons in Imp. Consid. (1675) 79 He..cannot..refuse at the soonest opportunity to attempt it.
1632 P. Massinger Emperour of East i. i. sig. B2v And we in priuate with our soonest leasure Will giue 'em hearing.
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. vi. 27 If they think that there may be a Soonest Instant of possible Creation.
1768 H. Brooke Fool of Quality III. xvi. 183 I was, therefore, up, among the soonest.
b. Speediest; quickest. Now dialect.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adjective] > of speed or haste: greatest or quickest
soon1591
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > [adjective] > of way or course: quickest
speeding?1611
soon1825
1591 Troublesome Raigne Iohn ii. sig. A4 The King intreates your soonest speed To visit him.
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iv. sig. K4v With soonest speed I hasted to the noise.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. iv. 27 Make your soonest hast, So your desires are yours. View more context for this quotation
1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) The soonest gait, the nearest road.
1897 in Eng. Dial. Dict. (at cited word) I said that would be [the] safest..or soonest road for us to go.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
soonadv.
/suːn/, U.S. /sun/α. Middle English soyn, Middle English 1700s soyne, 1500s shoin. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16762 + 20 He..sayd þis word ful soyn.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17288 + 82 Þe thrid day after soyne. ▸ 1434 R. Misyn tr. R. Rolle Mending of Life 124 [It] soyne is cast bak.1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) iv. 367 In-to kentyre soyn cumin ar thai.1572 Mem. in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 23 How shoin perceaved [etc.].?1746 ‘T. Bobbin’ View Lancs. Dial. 3 So soyne this Moarning.
β. Middle English sun, Middle English swne, Middle English 1700s– sune, 1500s suin, 1800s seun, 1800s suen. a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 987 Þai brak þe forbot als sun.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 1388 Seth..sune com til his fader again.1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 1090 Thai sall swne tyne ma.1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1895) II. 416 How suin he [it]..ressauet had.1792 R. Burns in J. Johnson Scots Musical Museum IV. 332 Yet sune thou shalt be thrown aside.1832 W. Stephenson Coll. Local Poems, Songs, &c. 100 This..pair Will suen myek ye knock under.1894 R. Reid Kirkbride i This..body maun sune be dust.
γ. Middle English soune, Middle English sovne, 1500s schowne, 1500s soun, 1500s sown. c1480 (a1400) St. Matthias 228 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) I. 228 Þat sovne þu ga.c1480 (a1400) St. Ninian 1198 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 338 Furth on sown can he fare.1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 566 The endentur..soune schawit the iniquite.a1578 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) I. 8 Schowne thair fell ane gret varience.
δ. 1600s seaun, 1700s sean, 1800s seean, 1800s seen. 1684 G. Meriton York-shire Dial. (E.D.S.) 3 Seaun, seaun,..bring my Skeel.1790 A. Wheeler Westmorland Dial. 86 Awr Courtship wod sean hae been at an end.1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxi. 159 They'll seen get their sairin' o' him an's mither tee.1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby It may as weel come seean as syne.
3. Comparative Middle English sannere, Middle English sannur, Middle English sannyr, Middle English sennere, Middle English sonare, Middle English sonder, Middle English sonere, Middle English sonir, Middle English sonnare, Middle English sonner, Middle English sonnere, Middle English sonre, Middle English sonyre, Middle English sunere, Middle English sunnar, Middle English sunner, Middle English sunnere, Middle English–1500s soner, 1500s schunar (Scottish), 1500s sonar, 1500s sonyr, 1500s soonner, 1500s suiner, 1500s– sooner, 1700s– suner (Scottish). See also sander adv. [For illustration see senses 9 – 12. The form souner(e which appears in some of the quotations should probably be sonner(e.] 4. Superlative Middle English sannest, Middle English sennest, Middle English sonest, Middle English sonnest, Middle English sonyst, Middle English sunnest, 1500s sonast, 1500s– soonest. [For illustration see senses 13 – 15.] Signification.
I. Within a short time, and related simple uses.
1. Within a short time (after a particular point of time specified or implied), before long, quickly; †(in early use) without delay, forthwith, straightway:proverbial.1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 885/1 Sone hotte sone colde.1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. x. sig. Civv But soone ripe sone rotten.c1580 tr. Bugbears iv. v, in Archiv f. das Studium der Neueren Sprachen (1897) 99 Lyttle sayd, sone amended.1670 Sc. Prov. in J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. 285 Little said, soon mendit.1861 H. Mayhew London Labour (new ed.) III. 381/1 Soon got, soon gone.† c. till soon, for a short time. Obsolete.
a. With reference to a definite past or future time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly
soonc825
cofeOE
erec1175
rada1325
soonlyc1475
hastilyc1550
hastyc1550
erelong1577
before long1585
bumbye1727
c825 Vesp. Psalter lxix. 4 Sien forcerred sona [L. statim] & scomiende.
c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care 196 Ac he him sona ondwyrde, & him swiðe stiernlice stierde.
971 Blickl. Hom. 15 He þa sona instæpes geseh, & þa sona wæs Drihtne fylgende.
c1030 Rule St. Benet (Logeman) 40 Þane þonne onginð, sona [L. mox] ealle mid arwurðnessa arison.
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) ann. 1135 Agenes him risen sona þa ricemen þe wæron swikes.
a1300 Cursor Mundi 2995 He did to cal habraham son, And said, ‘qui has þou þusgat don?’
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1221 Abraham rapede him sone in sped For to fulfillen godes reed.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 173 Efterward þe dyaþ..him ssel sterie zone him to ssrive.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. iii. 48 Þene he asoylede hire soone, and siþ to hire seide [etc.].
c1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 57 Alexander, coueyte noght þinges coruptibles..þat þou most sone forsake.
1513 T. More Hist. Edward V (1641) 8 Whose life he looked that ill dyet would soone shorten.
1567 in J. Cranstoun Satirical Poems Reformation (1891) I. viii. 31 Cum, sweir þe saikles sone.
1572 (a1500) Taill of Rauf Coilȝear (1882) 144 Sone was the Supper dicht, and the fyre bet.
1665 T. Herbert Some Years Trav. (new ed.) 176 We found..that the King's good will became soon diverted.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 146 The soft Napæan Race will soon repent Their Anger. View more context for this quotation
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. iii. 19 The day soon arrived on which we were to disperse.
1796 H. Hunter tr. J.-H. B. de Saint-Pierre Stud. Nature (1799) II. 552 We shall soon have..the exhibition of a museum at the Tuilleries.
1831 W. Scott Count Robert viii, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. III. 160 With..eyes dimmed by the powerful idea of soon parting with the light of day.
1841 Penny Cycl. XXI. 173/1 The rout soon became general.
1875 B. Jowett tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) I. 495 The voice of fate calls. Soon I must drink the poison.
b. In general statements, in which the time reckoned from is indefinite.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > swift movement of time > [adverb] > quickly
soonc825
quicklyc1300
rifelya1375
swiftlya1400
hourly1529
apace1535
in less than a lightning1591
quick time1816
succinctly1837
quickstep1855
c825 Vesp. Psalter xxxvi. 20 Feond..dryhtnes sona [L. mox] gearade & upahefene biað.
971 Blickl. Hom. 21 Ne he hine na ne onstyreþ, syþþan seo ungesynelice sawl him of biþ; ac sona he molsnaþ.
a1200 Vices & Virt. 99 Ȝif hie cumeð fram dieule, prudencia hes icnauð sone.
a1275 Prov. Ælfred 630 in Old Eng. Misc. 136 Buch þe from þi sete, & bide him sone þer-to.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 78 Wo so dede hem wrong or lath,..He dede hem sone to hauen ricth.
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 109 So that it proeveth wel therfore, The strengthe of man is sone lore.
1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in Anglia (1905) 28 271 Wherfore thou preventist tyme, and soon thi bowntee shewist.
1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. iv. 7 His Rewme may not stonde longe in prosperite but sone come to distruccioun.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 32 The body, yf hyt be not strong sone..ys oppressyd & overthrowne.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. E4v Small lightes are soone blown out, huge fires abide. View more context for this quotation
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island iv. xxxii. 45 Fitting his operation, For swallowing soon to fall, and rise for inspiration.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth V. 286 This species soon takes to build in artificial cavities.
1812 S. Edwards New Bot. Garden I. 44 They very soon take root.
1855 D. T. Ansted in Orr's Circle Sci.: Inorg. Nature 240 This gas..soon mixes with the air around.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adverb]
short whilec897
littleOE
awhileOE
littlec1175
a litel wanc1200
a while1297
while?a1505
till soona1529
for a moment1593
for a moment1611
short1611
for a flash1625
momentally1646
momentarily1655
for a sudden1688
shortly1809
momently1827
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Bi Fare you well tyll sone.
1533 J. Heywood Mery Play Pardoner & Frere sig. B.ii Canst not tary and abyde tyll sone And rede them than whan prechynge is done?
1592 T. Kyd Spanish Trag. iv. sig. Kv Farewell till soone.
2.
a. Followed by after (adv.) or afterwards (†also eft, efter, thereafter, sithen).In Old English also eft(er) sóna: see eftersoons adv., eftsoon adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > imminently or in the near future
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
soonc900
shortlya1050
newenc1175
newlya1225
nunonc1225
newenlyc1275
fast byc1300
tomorrowa1382
brieflyc1460
anonc1475
soonlyc1475
of newa1500
suddenlya1500
by and by1526
soon1545
imminently1548
short1556
erelong1577
eminently1646
bimeby1722
directly1851
c900 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 797 (Parker MS.) And þa sona eft..he meahte geseon & sprecann.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Mark xiv. 72 And sona efter se hona gesang.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1101 And þa sona þæræfter wurdon þa heafodmen..wiðer-ræden togeanes þam cynge.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 7256 & sone siþþenn sennde he forþ Þatt kalldewisshe genge.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 8277 Ȝut sone þer after an oþer com al so.
c1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 68 Als yhe sal here aftirward sone.
c1450 Brut ccxlii. 359 Sone aftirward riȝt þere he made his ende.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 30 They shulde..often fynde themselfe better at ease sone after.
1577 W. Harrison Hist. Descr. Islande Brit. ii. i. f. 48v/2, in R. Holinshed Chron. I Sone after also it taketh in a rillet called ye Bure.
c1660 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1632 (1955) II. 11 I was soone after sent for into Surrey.
1796 F. Burney Camilla I. ii. iii. 182 Soon after, Lionel, galloping across the park, hastily dismounted.
1845 Nicolas Mem. Chaucer in Chaucer's Wks. I. 32 Soon after, he was twice paid 40s…for his half yearly Robes.
1875 Encycl. Brit. III. 305/1 Soon afterwards a direct charge of plagiarism was made against Balzac.
b. Followed by after (preposition) with simple object or clause.
ΚΠ
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxiv. 29 Sona..æfter costunge dagana ðara.
OE Christ & Satan 628 Sona æfter þæm wordum werige gastas, helle hæftas, hwyrftum scriþað þusendmælum, and þider leaðað in þæt sceaðena scræf.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 3332 Sone anan affterr þatt he. Wass borenn þær to manne.
c1400 Rom. Rose 3777 Aftir the calme the trouble soune Mote folowe.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 27 And soone aftir that he had kyssed hym, he..lepe vpon his hors.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene ii. x. sig. Y5v Soone after which, three hundred Lords he slew Of British blood.
1779 Mirror No. 65 Soon after he returned to his native country, he married Lady C——.
1837 J. G. Lockhart Mem. Life Scott I. viii. 247 The young kinsman was introduced to her soon after her arrival at Mertoun.
1879 R. Morris Chaucer's Prol., etc. (ed. 6) p. xii Perhaps now, or perhaps soon after the loss of his office.
3. † b. Early in the evening. Obsolete.Probably by ellipse for soon at night: see 3a.
a. Early, betimes; before the time specified or referred to is much advanced.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > early or in good time
soon?a1366
timelyc1390
in good timea1440
in good hour1603
timelily1608
in due hour1689
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 23 I went soon To bedde.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1637 To come sone at nyght Vn-to hire chambir.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3045 Sun on þe morn, quen it was dai.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 7 We'll haue a posset for't soone at night. View more context for this quotation
1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse i. i. 148 in Wks. II As you make your soone at nights relation.
1692 tr. M.-C. d'Aulnoy Trav. Spain i. iii. 82 I rose in effect very soon next Morning.
?1746 [see α. forms]. 1807 W. Wordsworth Poems I. 122 Late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers.
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) 428 Soon, at the South this word is frequently used by all classes as a substitute for early... ‘I shall be there soon in the evening.’
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > evening > [adverb]
evensc1450
evenings?1557
acronically1594
soon1619
overdark1847
1619 A. Gil Logonomia Angl. ix. 28 Quikli citò, süner..citiùs, sünest..citissimè: nam sün, hodie apud plurimos significat ad primam vesperam; olim citò.
1674 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 44 Soon, the Evening: a soon, at Even. [Hence in later glossaries.]
c. At an early stage, date, period, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > early or in good time > at an early stage
betimesc1314
soon1618
earlily1663
early on1759
early doors1979
1618 W. Lawson New Orchard & Garden xi. 38 Soone crookes the tree that good Camell must bee.
1664 S. Pepys Diary 31 Aug. (1971) V. 258 My wife hath got me some pretty good oysters, which is very soon, and the soonest I think I ever eat any.
1770 P. Luckombe Conc. Hist. Printing 125 The Abby of St. Albans had printing there very soon.
1879 W. E. Gladstone Gleanings Past Years II. vi. 300 For his own eye, the ornaments of his Essay on Milton were so soon as in 1843 gaudy and ungraceful.
4. In various phrases denoting ‘At the very time or moment when, whenever’:† a. soon so adv. Also with sum, and elliptical without connecting particle.The reduced forms son se, sons, occur in the Ormulum. In Old English sóna þæs (þe) is also found.† b. so soon so. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
(a)
(b)c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 821 Sone summ he cuþe ben. Himm ane bi himm sellfenn.a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 11015 Sone sum vr leuedi was mett wid þe angel.(c)c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1354 Sone it was day, sone he him cladde.a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 329 Sone ge it ðor-of hauen eten, Al ge it sulen witent.c897 K. Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care 431 Sona swa ic anwoc, swa wilnode ic eft wines.
971 Blickl. Hom. 37 Sona swa þu geseo nacodne wædlan, þonne gegyre þu hine.
a1122 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1100 Sona swa se eorl Rotbert into Normandig com.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 6450 Sone swa þatt steorrne stod Þa kingess wel itt sæȝhemn.
a1225 Leg. Kath. 476 Sone se ich seh þe leome of þe soðe lare.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5897 He baptised þis aeldred sone so he was ybore.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. x. 226 Was neuere gome..Fairer vnder-fongen..Þan my-self sothly sone so he wist.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 53 Swa sone se hi beoð iturnd awey from heom?
c1250 Owl & Night. 518 So sone so þu sittest abrode, Þu forleost al þine wise.
c1330 (?c1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) l. 4173 Amorwe, so sone so it was day.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xvii. 63 So sone so þe samaritan hadde siȝte of þis lede.
c. as soon as. (Now the ordinary use.) Also †as soon so.From the end of the 15th to the middle of the 18th cent. the as and soon were commonly written together (assone, assoone, asoone, assoon). In Middle English alson(e) as also occurs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > immediately [conjunction] > as soon as
as soon asc1290
once1747
time1887
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 225 As sone as we were ymaked, oure maister was so prout.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xx. 63 Ac as sone so þe samaritan hadde sighte of þat syke, He alyghte a-non.
a1400 Theophilus xxxi As sone as he herde of þat tiding, He rapede hym wel swithe.
1433 in J. Raine Testamenta Eboracensia (1855) II. 41 Alson as ye saule be out of ye boddy.
1445 tr. Claudian's De Consulatu Stilichonis in Anglia (1905) 28 277 Thei wrey thin enemyes to þe as sone as þei the see banke touche.
?1475 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) 30 Asoune as they may be gotten.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope ii. xvii Assone as the wynter shalle come thow shalt deye.
1485 W. Caxton tr. Paris & Vienne (1957) 11 Assone as they myght.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) x. 368 Alsoyn As this deuisit wes and done.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Mark in Paraphr. New Test. (1552) i. 121 Assone as Jesus was aduertised thereof.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 40v As soone as your Rape seede is of,..you may sowe..Branke as they call it.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. D3v As soone as hee might see those beasts well painted.
1607 S. Hieron Discouerie of Hypocrisie in Wks. (1620) I. 259 Andrew, who assoone as hee had found Christ, went to call Peter.
1642 D. Rogers Naaman 90 Asoone as they feele their need.
1656 Ld. Orrery Parthenissa V. iii. i. 53 As soon as ever I understood..I made him humble retributions.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes v. 282 This Law..fell into disuse assoon as made.
1764 T. Hutchinson Hist. Colony Massachusets-Bay, 1628–91 (1765) 58 Assoon as they knew the terms.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho III. iii. 69 ‘Madame Montoni is now dying, sir,’ said Emily, as soon as she saw him.
1861 M. Pattison in Westm. Rev. Apr. 411 As soon as the French trade was again opened.
d. so soon as. In early use sometimes †al so, also soon as.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
c1330 Assump. Virg. (B.M. MS.) 157 So sone as sche hadde doun, Newe cloþes sche dide hure apoun.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 43 Þe same freris ben holden to renne to hem also sone as þei may.
1465 J. Payn in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) II. 313 Also sone as I come to the Blak Heth the Capteyn made the comens to take me.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. clxvjv The Frenche kyng, so sone as he heard therof kepte a solempne funerall.
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Comm. Notable Thinges in tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 359 So soone as their inditement was read, and iudgement giuen.
1637 in 3rd Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1872) 75/1 The Dunkirkers, so soon as they made out what I was, took in their flag.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 823 So soon as the Death of King John was..known.
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. xii. 132 So soon as he was without the Territory of the Palace.
1818 H. T. Colebrooke Treat. Obligations & Contracts 14 The article..is sold so soon as the parties have consented.
1882 J. H. Blunt Reformation Church of Eng. II. 8 So soon as the formal consent of Edward had been obtained.
e. soon as. Now poetic, dialect, and colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 8167 Sone as he þe king had knawen. welcome he saide.
1640 W. Habington Hist. Edward IV 24 She was repulst by the inhabitants soone as she landed.
1659 J. Dryden Heroique Stanza's vii, in E. Waller et al. Three Poems 3 Nor was his Vertue poyson'd soon as born.
1746 P. Francis tr. Horace in P. Francis & W. Dunkin tr. Horace Epistles i. xix. 13 Soon as I spoke, our rival Bards engage.
1801 Lusignan II. 85 [She] had hitherto communicated every thought soon as it had birth.
1885 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche vi. xxx. 78 The which she knew, soon as she heard the name.
1907 W. P. Ridge Name of Garland ii. 33 Get out of my kitchen soon as you can.
1930 J. B. Priestley Angel Pavement ii. 91 We want another man for London and district, soon as we can get one.
1930 W. Faulkner As I lay Dying 58 I done put supper on and I'll be there soon as I milk.
1940 W. Faulkner Hamlet i. ii. 26 Jody came in last night. I knowed it soon as I saw him.
f. how soon (as). Scottish. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as
soon soc897
so soon soc1175
as soon soc1290
al so, also soon asc1330
soon asa1400
howc1449
how soon (as)1557
whenever1655
instantly1793
immediately1839
1557 Peebles Burgh Rec. (1872) 236 To be deliuerit..quhowsone he be requirit thairto.
1563 N. Winȝet Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 124 Quhow sone as a sinnar is resauit..to mercy.
1596 J. Dalrymple tr. J. Leslie Hist. Scotl. (1888) I. 25 Bot how sone thay begin to bigg thair nestis, the grettest gun..will nocht scar thame.
1754 W. Goodall in H. Campbell Love Lett. Mary Q. Scots (1824) 192 Cecil..had all in readiness to be published how soon the Duke should be beheaded.
5. † b. not so soon…(that) or but (that), = no sooner…than (see 12b). Obsolete.
a. so soon: so quickly, so early. Also followed by as.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > so quickly or early
so soonc1330
(a)
(b)1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iv. 329 Where so soon As in our native Language can I find That solace? View more context for this quotationc1330 (?a1300) Sir Tristrem (1886) l. 86 Þurch min hert..Ywounded haþ he me So sone.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) Gal. i. 6 I wondre, that thus so soone ȝe ben born ouer fro him that clepide ȝou into the grace of Crist.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. ii. 18 How came ye so soone to daie?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 196 What, all so soone asleepe? View more context for this quotation
1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. iii. 212 Which way came I, Through so immense a space so soon?
1772 S. Denne & W. Shrubsole Hist. Rochester 27 Too large a work to be compleated so soon.
1828 E. Bulwer-Lytton Pelham III. iii. 51 If you are going so soon, honour me by accepting my arm.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > immediately [phrase] > as soon as
as rathe as (also so rather so, swa rathe swa)OE
not so soon…(that) or but (that)1390
as (als, also) swithe as (als swither)a1400
no sooner…, but, than, or when1560
how soon (that)c1600
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 171 This word was noght so sone spoke, That his on yhe anon was loke.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 95 Appollo had not so sone finysshid thise wordes but that alle they..cryed [etc.].
1549 J. Cheke Hurt of Sedicion sig. G8 The husbande man had not so sone throwen seede in his grounde, but steppeth vp thenemie.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. vii Wee were not so soone on land, the knight..did instantly request me [etc.].
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie i. xx They were not so soone issued, but were cleane spoyled..of the enimies.
1605 W. Camden Remaines i. 186 But hee had not so soone spoken the worde, but the surging wave dashed him.
6.
a. Preceded by over or too.
ΚΠ
c1400 Rom. Rose 3842 For Shame to longe hath be thee froo; Over soone she was agoo.
c1513 J. Skelton Against Scottes 130 Vnto the castell of Norram..to sone ye came.
1599 W. Shakespeare et al. Passionate Pilgrime (new ed.) sig. C4 Faire creature kilde too soon by Deaths sharpe sting.
1617 W. Mure Misc. Poems xviii, in Wks. (S.T.S.) I. 38 Too sone, (alace!)..Thy pairt is acted on this wordlie stage.
1720 D. Defoe Life Capt. Singleton 3 This fell out something too soon.
1821 P. B. Shelley Adonais xxvii. 16 Why didst thou leave the trodden paths of men Too soon?
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh II. 205 It was not a moment too soon.
1902 W. W. Skeat Havelok p. xvii A curious instance of anticipation, i.e. the too soon writing down of a coming letter.
b. Followed by enough.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > imminently or in the near future
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
soonc900
shortlya1050
newenc1175
newlya1225
nunonc1225
newenlyc1275
fast byc1300
tomorrowa1382
brieflyc1460
anonc1475
soonlyc1475
of newa1500
suddenlya1500
by and by1526
soon1545
imminently1548
short1556
erelong1577
eminently1646
bimeby1722
directly1851
1545 R. Ascham Toxophilus ii. f. 6 Not layinge before theyr eyes, this wyse prouerbe. Sone ynough, if wel ynough.
1685 tr. B. Gracián y Morales Courtiers Oracle 56 Soon enough, if well enough, said a Wise Man.
1785 W. Cowper Task ii. 622 A man o' th' town dines late, but soon enough, With reasonable forecast and dispatch T' ensure a side-box station at half price.
7. † b. as soon, at once, forthwith. Obsolete.† c. as soon…as soon, at one time…, at another; now…, again. Obsolete.
a. as soon (as), as quickly, as early (as).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > as quickly or early (as)
as soon (as)1548
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxiv He and hys folowed so quickly after, that they were almost at ye gates as sone as the Ambassadors.
1596 J. Davies Orchestra xli. sig. B1v The Moone..ends her pauine thirteene times as soone As doth her brother.
1637 J. Milton Comus 35 From thence [I] can soare as soone To the corners of the Moone.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 464 I soon returnd,..it returnd as soon with answering looks. View more context for this quotation
1691 J. Norris Pract. Disc. Divine Subj. 81 But alas, the Mystery of Iniquity began to work assoon as the Mystery of Godliness.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb]
soonc825
ratheeOE
rathelyeOE
rekeneOE
rekenlyOE
thereright971
anonOE
forth ona1000
coflyc1000
ferlyc1000
radlyOE
swiftlyc1000
unyoreOE
yareOE
at the forme (also first) wordOE
nowOE
shortlya1050
rightOE
here-rightlOE
right anonlOE
anonc1175
forthrightc1175
forthwithalc1175
skeetc1175
swithc1175
with and withc1175
anon-rightc1225
anon-rights?c1225
belivec1225
lightly?c1225
quickly?c1225
tidelyc1225
fastlyc1275
hastilyc1275
i-radlichec1275
as soon asc1290
aright1297
bedenea1300
in little wevea1300
withoute(n dwella1300
alrightc1300
as fast (as)c1300
at firstc1300
in placec1300
in the placec1300
mididonec1300
outrightc1300
prestc1300
streck13..
titec1300
without delayc1300
that stounds1303
rada1325
readya1325
apacec1325
albedenec1330
as (also also) titec1330
as blivec1330
as line rightc1330
as straight as linec1330
in anec1330
in presentc1330
newlyc1330
suddenlyc1330
titelyc1330
yernec1330
as soon1340
prestly1340
streckly1340
swithly?1370
evenlya1375
redelya1375
redlya1375
rifelya1375
yeplya1375
at one blastc1380
fresha1382
ripelyc1384
presentc1385
presently1385
without arrestc1385
readilyc1390
in the twinkling of a looka1393
derflya1400
forwhya1400
skeetlya1400
straighta1400
swifta1400
maintenantc1400
out of handc1400
wightc1400
at a startc1405
immediately1420
incontinent1425
there and then1428
onenec1429
forwithc1430
downright?a1439
agatec1440
at a tricec1440
right forth1440
withouten wonec1440
whipc1460
forthwith1461
undelayed1470
incessantly1472
at a momentc1475
right nowc1475
synec1475
incontinently1484
promptly1490
in the nonce?a1500
uncontinent1506
on (upon, in) the instant1509
in short1513
at a clap1519
by and by1526
straightway1526
at a twitch1528
at the first chop1528
maintenantly1528
on a tricea1529
with a tricec1530
at once1531
belively1532
straightwaysa1533
short days1533
undelayedly1534
fro hand1535
indelayedly1535
straight forth1536
betimesc1540
livelyc1540
upononc1540
suddenly1544
at one (or a) dash?1550
at (the) first dash?1550
instantly1552
forth of hand1564
upon the nines1568
on the nail1569
at (also in, with) a thoughtc1572
indilately1572
summarily1578
at one (a) chop1581
amain1587
straightwise1588
extempore1593
presto1598
upon the place1600
directly1604
instant1604
just now1606
with a siserary1607
promiscuously1609
at (in) one (an) instant1611
on (also upon) the momenta1616
at (formerly also on or upon) sight1617
hand to fist1634
fastisha1650
nextly1657
to rights1663
straightaway1663
slap1672
at first bolt1676
point-blank1679
in point1680
offhand1686
instanter1688
sonica1688
flush1701
like a thought1720
in a crack1725
momentary1725
bumbye1727
clacka1734
plumba1734
right away1734
momentarily1739
momentaneously1753
in a snap1768
right off1771
straight an end1778
abruptedly1784
in a whistle1784
slap-bang1785
bang?1795
right off the reel1798
in a whiff1800
in a flash1801
like a shot1809
momently1812
in a brace or couple of shakes1816
in a gird1825
(all) in a rush1829
in (also at, on) short (also quick) order1830
straightly1830
toot sweetc1830
in two twos1838
rectly1843
quick-stick1844
short metre1848
right1849
at the drop of a (occasionally the) hat1854
off the hooks1860
quicksticks1860
straight off1873
bang off1886
away1887
in quick sticks (also in a quick stick)1890
ek dum1895
tout de suite1895
bung1899
one time1899
prompt1910
yesterday1911
in two ups1934
presto changeo1946
now-now1966
presto change1987
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 4102 Þus sal ende þe dignité of Rome; And als sone aftir sal anticrist come.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l .339 He..said wit word, and als son [Fairf. als sone, Trin. Cambr. also soone] All his comament was don.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) l. 4624 Þe grete dome sal noght be aftir alsone.
c1475 (a1400) Sir Amadace (Taylor) in J. Robson Three Early Eng. Metrical Romances (1842) 50 The porter wente in-to the halle, Alsone his lord he metes.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) v. 374 Iames of douglas..The presoners has tane alsone.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) vii. ix. l. 8 Than Italy alssone Scho levis.
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. D He stayes assone, and in his mynde doeth cast, What way to take.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > frequency > infrequency > [adverb] > sometimes or occasionally
whiloma900
whilea1000
stoundmealc1000
stundumOE
otherwhileOE
umquhile1154
with and withc1175
by stoundsa1225
otherwhilesc1225
umbestound?c1225
umbewhilec1230
then and thenc1275
sometime…sometime1297
umstounda1300
by while13..
over while13..
sometime1340
umbe throwea1350
at timesa1382
now and again (also anon, eft, now)a1393
umbwhile1393
eftsoona1398
sometimea1400
by sithesc1400
umbestoundsc1400
from time to (formerly unto) time1423
now and (also or) then1445
ever now and nowa1470
when and whenc1470
occasionallya1475
in timesa1500
whiles?a1500
whilomsa1500
sometimes1526
somewhiles1528
at whiles1540
ever now and then1542
a-whiles1546
somewhiles…, somewhiles1547
at sometimes1548
now and thenc1550
ever and anon1558
by occasions1562
on (also upon) occasion1562
as soon…as soon1581
every now and then (also again)1642
by a time1721
once and a while1765
ever and again1788
periodically1825
in spots1851
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) ii. 78 b As soone with Gentlemen, as soone with the baser sorte, now and then with Princes, now and then with priuate persons.
1647 J. Trapp Mellificium Theol. in Comm. Epist. & Rev. 715 Erasmus..was as soon with Protestants, and as soon with Papists, and so was well thought of on neither side.
8. as soon (as):
a. As readily; as willingly. Also so soon as, just as soon; as soon as look at you: see look v. Phrases 1a(e).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb] > as willingly
as soon (as)1600
so soon as1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 52 Ile beleeue, as soone, This whole earth may be bor'd. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) i. ii. 202 Yet..I do not know the man I should auoyd So soone as that spare Cassius. View more context for this quotation
1702 J. Vanbrugh False Friend ii. i I'd as soon undertake to keep Portocarero honest.
1775 R. B. Sheridan St. Patrick's Day ii. iv I had as soon recover, notwithstanding.
1780 R. B. Sheridan School for Scandal i. i. 5 He would abuse a stranger as soon as his best friend.
1816 W. Whewell in J. M. Douglas Life & Corr. W. Whewell (1881) 22 I had as soon be beaten by him as by anybody else.
1825 W. Scott Talisman x, in Tales Crusaders III. 247 They would march under the banner of Satan as soon.
1913 W. B. Yeats Hour-glass in Mask V. 328 I'd as soon listen to dried peas in a bladder as listen to your thoughts.
1930 A. P. Herbert Water Gipsies xvii. 254 I'd as soon have stone-ginger any day.
1966 D. Francis Flying Finish x. 133 He waved me to join him, which I would just as soon not have done.
1974 C. Hampton Savages (1976) vii. 45 Because Chico well He'd cut your head off soon as say good morning.
1974 ‘M. Hebden’ Pride of Dolphins i. iii. 34 I'd just as soon you dropped me..and let me make my own way home.
b. With as much reason or probability.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > understanding > reason, faculty of reasoning > [adverb]
with reasonc1300
skilfullyc1325
skillwiselya1340
skilfula1400
reasonablyc1400
of reason1405
in reasona1450
upon reasonc1450
reasonfully1532
justlya1538
rationablya1540
reasonally1567
reasonable1573
as soon (as)1579
rationally1610
to reason1613
rational1662
correctlya1704
rightly1703
upon the weight of1710
legitimately1794
well-foundedly?1841
tarblish1842
sanely1884
the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > probability, likelihood > [adverb] > with as much probability
as soon (as)1579
1579 E. Spenser Shepheardes Cal. July Alsoone may shepheard clymbe to skye..As Goteheard prowd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. vii. 19 Thou wouldst as soone goe kindle fire with snow As seeke to quench the fire of Loue with words. View more context for this quotation
1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 86 They may as soon expect..consolation from him that lies rack'd with the Gout.., as from a Divine thus broken..in his fortunes.
1816 P. B. Shelley Alastor 35 Measureless ocean may declare as soon..as the universe Tell [etc.].
c. Used to suggest denial of a statement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > denial or contradiction > [adverb] > expression of
as soon (as)a1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iv. i. 98 Ant... I sent thee for a rope... S. Dro. You sent me for a ropes end as soone . View more context for this quotation
II. In the comparative form sooner.
9.
a. Within a shorter time; more quickly; with less delay; at an earlier time or date.
ΚΠ
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 194 Þreateð þet ȝe wulleð ȝelden up þe castel bute he sende sonre help.
?a1366 Romaunt Rose 969 For he may sonner have gladnesse, Hir langour ought to be the lesse.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Isa. lviii. 8 Thin helthe sunnere shal springe.
1432 Rolls of Parl. IV. 405/2 In cas that covenable remedie ne be not sunner purveyde.
1587 Queen Elizabeth I in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 31 Excuse my not writing sonar.
1678 R. Cudworth True Intellect. Syst. Universe i. v. 887 The Question, Why the World..was no sooner, but so lately made?
1686 W. Hopkins tr. Ratramnus Body & Bl. (1688) Diss. i. 20 Written by him, as some guess, about the Year 850, or perhaps sooner.
1780 Mirror No. 105 Sometimes it returns a little sooner by royal proclamation.
1818 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. (ed. 2) I. 481 Sometimes it is to be done sooner, sometimes later.
1886 C. E. Pascoe London of To-day (ed. 3) xxx. 271 The House..sits till six, if the ‘Orders of the Day’ are not sooner disposed of.
b. Followed by than.
ΚΠ
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 240 Wel sonere..hom huy come þane huy outward wende.
1362 W. Langland Piers Plowman A. xi. 274 Sonnere hadde he saluacion þanne seint Ion þe baptist.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xx. 4 Thilke other disciple ran bifore sunner than Petre.
1490 W. Caxton tr. Foure Sonnes of Aymon (1885) xvii. 396 Charlemagn seketh his dommage; and he shall have it soner than he weneth.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin iii. 43 Yef I wolde, I sholde fynde hym moche sonner than ye.
1566 W. Painter Palace of Pleasure I. xi. f. 29 You went soner awaie, then loue coulde haue time to fasten vpon a man.
1581 G. Pettie tr. S. Guazzo Ciuile Conuersat. (1586) iii. 175 b I pray you come sooner then you did to daie.
1640 T. Carew Poems 4 'Tis sooner past, 'tis sooner done Then Summers raine, or winters Sun.
1718 Entertainer No. 40. 275 Judgment may overtake him sooner than he thinks for.
1880 A. Geikie Elem. Lessons Physical Geogr. (new ed.) ii. 61 Land gets sooner heated by the sun's rays than the sea.
c. sooner or later, at some time or other.Usually with reference to the future, and implying the certain happening of the event referred to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > different time > [adverb] > at some future time or one day
yeteOE
hereafter1154
hereafterwardc1386
sometimec1386
oncea1393
whiloma1400
rather or latera1450
one of these daysa1470
one day1477
umquhile1489
in timea1500
with time?1531
sooner or later1577
odd shortly1681
some summer's day1697
first or last1700
some of these (‥) days1831
someday1898
down the road (also track)1924
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 44v The stones, stickes, and suche baggage..are to be throwen out sooner or later.
1660 F. Brooke tr. V. Le Blanc World Surveyed 393 The Tide and Ebbe coming sooner or later.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 613 To destroy, or unimmortal make All kinds, and for destruction to mature Sooner or later . View more context for this quotation
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 289. ¶4 The dying Man is one whom, sooner or later, we shall certainly resemble.
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 427 To keep up..a correspondence in Italy, would sooner or later betray them.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian xiv, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. IV. 342 I have observed, that, sooner or later, they come to an evil end.
10.
a. More readily or easily. Chiefly with than.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > [adverb] > more easily or readily
would rathereOE
soon?c1225
(a)
(b)1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 789 Sunner he takyth for here veniaunce Þan for any oþer chaunce.c1380 J. Wyclif Three Treat. in Sel. Wks. III. 291 Ȝif þei weren opyn trewe men..þei schulden sunere gete pursuyng..þan fatte benefices.1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxlii He thought the Sunne, would soner haue fallen from his circle, then that kyng Lewes..would haue dissimuled.1553 T. Wilson Arte Rhetorique (1580) 202 Sir Thomas More..can soner bee remembred of me, then worthely praised of any.1637 J. Milton Comus 12 Courtesie, Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds.., Then in tapstrie halls.1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. v. 92 Stuff which may be sooner Hewn than Sawn.1817 P. B. Shelley Lines to Critic iii Thy love will move that bigot cold Sooner than me, thy hate.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 48 Al ȝet þe feaȝeð hire..þurch hwat machte sonre fol lokig awacnin.
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida ii. i. 16 I shall sooner raile thee into wit and holinesse. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 274 I thinke, if you handled her priuately She would sooner confesse. View more context for this quotation
1664 J. Wilson Andronicus Comnenius i. i You may sooner hold An angry Lyon, with a clew of thread.
1842 S. Lover Handy Andy ix If you had a child.., no one should have the majority sooner.
b. More readily as a matter of choice; preferably, rather. (I'd) sooner (it should be) you than me, and variants cf. rather adv. 8g.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > free will > choice or choosing > types of choice > [adverb] > in preference to something else
ratherc1300
heldera1400
tittera1400
ererc1425
soon1457
rathest1556
would rather1557
first1580
preferablya1645
choosingly1651
preferable1683
ruther1809
1457 J. Hardyng Chron. i, in Eng. Hist. Rev. Oct. (1912) 743 Your Fadir..souner wolde suche thre as Gedyngton Hafe youe [= given] than so forgone that euydence.
1474 W. Caxton tr. Game & Playe of Chesse (1883) iv. viii. 184 Certes thou oughtest sonner wille to dye..than [etc.].
1699 T. Brown tr. Erasmus Seven New Colloquies iv. 25 I wou'd sooner swopp her to a Tobacco plantation.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xi. viii. 139 I would sooner starve than take any Reward for betraying your Ladyship. View more context for this quotation
1801 E. Helme St. Margaret's Cave I. xviii. 236 I would sooner bear my father's name..rather than be lady of this domain.
1864 A. Trollope Can you forgive Her? I. xiv. 108 You are going down to Cheltenham, are you?.. I'd sooner it should be you than me; that's all I can say.
1885 ‘F. Anstey’ Tinted Venus 171 Why, I'd sooner stay in prison all my life!
1905 H. A. Vachell Hill iii. 53 Phew-w-w!.. I'd sooner it was you than me, Verney.
1937 A. Thirkell Summer Half vi. 181 ‘Good old Mr. Lorimer,’ said Swan, ‘sooner he than I.’
1973 ‘J. Sturrock’ Wicked Way to Die iii. 35 ‘Talk to her I must.’ He shook his head. ‘Sooner you than me.’
11. the sooner:
a. the more quickly, speedily, or early.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > earlier or sooner > the sooner
the ratherOE
the sooner1303
the sooner1763
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 386 But þerof to haue mochyl affyaunce Þe may betyde þe sunner a chaunce.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VII. 121 Bot it be þe sonner opned, it bryngeþ yn deth.
c1440 Generydes 3101 His entent the souner myght prevayle.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) lxvi. 382 That here payne..myght be released the sonyre for his prayere.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 18 That your devyse..may the soner optayne hys frute & effect.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. i. 15 The sooner to effect, And surer binde this knot of amitie. View more context for this quotation
1653 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 461 I rose one hour the sooner.
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) xxii Hereby they will the sooner answer the design propos'd.
1831 W. Scott Count Robert iv, in Tales of my Landlord 4th Ser. I. 147 The soldiers joyfully mended their pace in order to meet the sooner with the supplies.
b. With coordinate clause or phrase containing another comparative.
ΚΠ
c1475 Mankind 254 in Macro Plays 10 Þe sonner þe leuer, & yt be ewyn a-non!
1477 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 378 Þe soner the better in eschewyng of worse.
c1480 (a1400) St. Theodora 261 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 106 Þe sonare þis be done, þe cause sal be þe les.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. Bvii The hyer it ascendeth, the sooner it vanyssheth away.
1532 (c1385) Usk's Test. Loue in Wks. G. Chaucer ii. f. cccxlixv Euer the deper thou somtyme wadest the soner thou it founde.
1562 Bp. J. Pilkington Expos. Abdyas Pref. 9 The faster a man runnes, the sooner he is wery.
1671 J. Milton Paradise Regain'd iii. 179 The happier raign the sooner it begins. View more context for this quotation
1731 P. Miller Gardeners Dict. I. at Fagus The sooner they are sown the better, after they are fully ripe.
1823 W. Scott Peveril IV. xi. 261 The sooner, then, the root feels the axe, the stroke is more welcome.
1837 P. Keith Bot. Lexicon 169 The sooner a remedy is applied to it the better.
1855 C. Kingsley Westward Ho! iv The less said the sooner mended.
c. Followed by as or that.In quot. 1763 the sense is ‘all the more’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > earlier or sooner > the sooner
the ratherOE
the sooner1303
the sooner1763
1763 Museum Rusticum (1764) 1 206 We think..that two pounds at least should be sown, and this the sooner, as it is a cheap seed.
1825 W. Scott Talisman iv, in Tales Crusaders IV. 66 He shall die, the rather and the sooner that thou dost entreat for him.
12.
a. no sooner, not earlier.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the past > antecedence or being earlier > [adverb] > not earlier or before
no sooner1408
only1676
1408 in Rymer Fœdera (1709) VIII. 539/1 Aftir the Entree, or the Deth of the forsaid Erle of Douglas,..and no sounere.
1482 in H. E. Malden Cely Papers (1900) 123 Here was noon passage no sooner, the wynd was so contrary.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) iii. i. 32 For thine owne bowels..Do curse the Gowt..and the Rheume For ending thee no sooner . View more context for this quotation
b. no sooner…, but, than, or when, = as soon as; immediately that. (Cf. 5b.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > immediately [phrase] > as soon as
as rathe as (also so rather so, swa rathe swa)OE
not so soon…(that) or but (that)1390
as (als, also) swithe as (als swither)a1400
no sooner…, but, than, or when1560
how soon (that)c1600
(a)
(b)1594 T. Kyd tr. R. Garnier Cornelia ii. 76 Like poyson that..No sooner tutcheth then it taints the blood.1659 J. Dryden Heroique Stanza's xxiii, in E. Waller et al. Three Poems 6 No sooner was the Frenchman's cause embrac'd Than the leight Mounsire the grave Don outwaigh'd.1723 Duke of Wharton True Briton No. 48. ¶14 But he had no sooner labour'd himself into a tolerable Knowledge of the Affairs of it, than he rode Triumphant.1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in Poems 116 No sooner he began To round and redden, than away he rann.1850 R. Browning Christmas-eve xiii. 45 No sooner said than out in the night!(c)1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ix, in tr. Virgil Wks. 468 No sooner had the Goddess ceas'd to speak, When lo, th' obedient Ships, their Haulsers break.1764 O. Goldsmith Hist. Eng. in Lett. (1772) I. 68 No sooner was his back turned, when a new conspiracy was set on foot.1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. cccclxiiijv He had no soner said so, but he was had thence.
1597 T. Beard Theatre Gods Iudgements i. xxv. 144 Which was no sooner in hand, but the chamber began afresh to shake.
1639 G. Digby in G. Digby & K. Digby Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) 54 St. John no sooner saw him, but he stept back.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 123. ¶5 Florio was no sooner arrived at the great House.., but Eudoxus took him by the Hand.
a1774 O. Goldsmith tr. P. Scarron Comic Romance (1775) I. ix. 57 She had no sooner made an end of her speech, but she withdrew.
1825 W. Scott Talisman viii, in Tales Crusaders IV. 170 There has no sooner any one done me good service, but..he cancels his interest in me by some deep injury.
III. In the superlative form soonest.
13.
a. Most quickly, readily, etc. Now frequently (originally telegraphese), as soon as possible.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > soonest
soon?c1225
soon1471
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as > as soon as possible
soon?c1225
with the soonest1662
asap1954
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 288 Alse is..þe crucifix ichirche iset iswich stude þer me hit sonest seo.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 23 For who so may most gold brynge sunnest schal be sped to grete benefices.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xiii. 223 Þat þat raþest rypeþ, roteþ most sannest [v.rr. sonnest, sennest].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 16049 Þei biþouȝte hem..with what þing þei sonnest shulde: do him þenne to dye.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1155 So may we sonyst the souerain distrye.
1584 T. Cogan Hauen of Health clix. 133 Pertriche of all foules is most soonest digested.
a1586 W. Dunbar in W. A. Craigie Maitland Folio MS (1919) I. 367 Quha maist it Servis sall sonast it repent.
1601 W. Cornwallis Disc. Seneca sig. F8v The most profitable and soonest digested knowledges.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 893 Where thou mightst hope..soonest [to] recompence Dole with delight. View more context for this quotation
1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 616/2 Melt them together for soft solder, which runs soonest.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. xiii. 404 Such troops as could be soonest drawn together, were immediately sent off.
1813 P. B. Shelley Queen Mab i. 10 The spirit..may know How soonest to accomplish the great end.
1815 A. Constable Let. 29 Jann. in J. Constable Corr. (1962) I. 113 The picture you request shall be sent per soonest.
1950 C. M. Kornbluth in Mag. of Fantasy & Sci. Fiction 1 4 They needed a bright and sparkling little news item..‘soonest’.
1962 J. Hay in E. Queen's 16th Mystery Annual 163 ‘Bjornsson and whale to proceed soonest to Regensburg and await further orders,’ Twentypenny cabled Hawker.
1977 ‘E. Crispin’ Glimpses of Moon xiii. 262 Come back to London soonest prepare leave for Libya soonest terrorists blowing up all the oilwells there.
1977 J. Didion Bk. Common Prayer ii. xiv. 119 I'm getting you together soonest, that's definite.
b. Preceded by the.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > soonest
soon?c1225
soon1471
1471 Chron. White Rose (1845) 92 They dispersed..the soonest they could.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. vi. 114 The gentler Gamester is the soonest [1600 the sooner] winner. View more context for this quotation
1760 R. Brown Compl. Farmer: Pt. 2 72 It is a grain that will grow in the ear the soonest of any, if wet.
14. with the soonest:† a. Rather, or very, early. Obsolete.† b. As soon as possible. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > soon or quickly > very early
rathestOE
with the soonest1542
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 252v The same Julia begoonne somewhat with the soonest to have whyte heares in hir hedde.
a1600 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie vii. xiii, in Wks. (1662) 32 His admirable vertues caused him to be Bishop with the soonest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > immediacy > [adverb] > as soon as > as soon as possible
soon?c1225
with the soonest1662
asap1954
1662 J. Davies tr. A. Olearius Voy. & Trav. Ambassadors 114 That he would, with the soonest, suppress all monopolies.
1709 D. Manley Secret Mem. (ed. 2) II. 175 Then she wou'd be glad to Marry him with the soonest.
c. dialect. Too soon.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adverb] > early, too early, or prematurely > too soon
oversoon1590
with the soonest1828
1632 P. Massinger Emperour of East ii. i. sig. Ev Shall I become a votarie to Hymen, Before my youth hath sacrific'd to Venus? 'Tis something with the soonest.
1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) (at cited word) ‘Wi't’ soonest,’ too soon.
15. at (the) soonest, at the earliest.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [adverb] > early, too early, or prematurely > at the earliest
at (the) soonest1751
1751 R. Paltock Life Peter Wilkins II. xx. 260 I asked him then how long he should be..he said three Days at soonest.
1768 Bp. W. Warburton Lett. (1809) 410 At soonest, it will not begin, till after the next long vacation.
1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues I. 182 This Dialogue..could not have been composed before 390 at the soonest.
Compounds
With participial adjectives (and participles), as soon-arriving, soon-believing, soon-coming, soon-descending, soon-drying, etc.; soon-choked, soon-clad, soon-come, soon-contented, soon-dropped, soon-finished, soon-forgotten, etc. With infinitive, as soon-to-be.
ΚΠ
a.
b.1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Coupe-queuë Two short, and soone-done-words.1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues at Coupe-queuë Messe de chasseur, a short, or soone-said Masse.?1611 G. Chapman tr. Homer Iliads ii. 590 These soon-monied wares We drave into Neleius' town.1727 J. Thomson Summer 13 Rous'd by the Cock, the soon-clad Shepherd leaves His mossy Cottage.a1774 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued (1777) III. i. 271 That unaspiring humility, that soon contented moderation.1852 M. Arnold Absence 10 Each day brings its petty dust Our soon-chok'd souls to fill.1866 W. D. Howells Venetian Life xvi. 257 Soon-sated curiosity slides willingly away.1901 G. B. Shaw Three Plays for Puritans p. xviii An hour's soon-forgotten fuss.1902 W. B. Yeats Where there is Nothing (1903) ii. 44 Not the fighting of men in red coats, that formal, soon finished fighting, but the endless battle, the endless battle.1925 E. Blunden Eng. Poems 18 And hyacinth-eyes beneath soon-dropt lids.1925 E. Blunden Eng. Poems 36 That now, this soon-come spring, goes slow and sere.c.1961 Daily Tel. 30 Aug. 10/2 He wants to appear in Belgrade at the neutralists' conference as the leader at least of a soon-to-be apparently united country.1975 Publishers Weekly 10 Nov. 51/3 Often the dying are ‘released’ by the knowledge of their soon-to-be end.a1586 Sir P. Sidney Apol. Poetrie (1595) sig. D4 The soone repenting pride in Agamemnon.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard II i. i. 101 His soone beleeuing aduersaries. View more context for this quotation
1599 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet v. i. 60 A dram of poyson, such soone speeding geare. View more context for this quotation
1616 W. Drummond Poems (rev. ed.) sig. Q1v Soone-fading Beautie, which of Hues doth rise.
a1617 S. Hieron Penance for Sinne in Wks. (1620) II. 192 These shallow and soone-drying streames of outward ioy.
1730 J. Thomson Winter in Seasons 194 The sun.., soon-descending, to the long dark night..the prostrate world resigns.
1886 E. G. White Hist. Sketches Seventh-Day Adventists 164/2 The end so near, the warning of a soon-coming Judgment yet to be given to all nations, tongues, and peoples.
1930 W. H. Auden Poems 17 Hear something of that soon-arriving day.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1940
adj.c1380
adv.c825