since
/sɪns
/preposition, conjunction, & adverb
1In the intervening period between (the time mentioned) and the time under consideration, typically the present: [as preposition]: she has suffered from depression since she was sixteen the worst property slump since the war I’ve felt better since I’ve been here [as adverb]: she ran away on Friday and we haven’t seen her since...
- It is hard to believe that a year has passed since then and it is a significant milestone in her fight for life.
- I booked him for an exhibition immediately and he has been here regularly since then.
- My focus since then has been on removing this sort of conditioning from everyone.
2 [conjunction] For the reason that; because: delegates were delighted, since better protection of rhino reserves will help protect other rare species...
- Many more elsewhere are struggling since visitors found a reason to stay at home.
- She was right to ditch the passage since it would have jarred with the spirit of reasoned debate.
- I was brought in the same room as Raine, since the doctors had mentioned this was the only room left.
3 [adverb] Ago: the settlement had vanished long since...
- That fabric has long since been sundered and social anarchy has been the consequence.
- Practice has long since taken its leave of policy, and speaks to it about once a year, on a bad line.
- Many features shown are long since gone, but the maps aim to ensure they are not forgotten.
Origin
Late Middle English: contraction of obsolete sithence, or from dialect sin (both from dialect sithen 'thereupon, afterwards, ever since').