æfter

Old English

Alternative forms

• æftær — Anglian
• efter, æftyr, eftyr, æftar
• æftar — Northumbrian

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *after, whence also Old High German aftar, Old Norse aptr. Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂epoteros (“further behind, further away”), comparative form of *h₂epó (“off, behind”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈæf.ter/

Preposition

æfter

1. after
   • late 10th century, Ælfric, "Saint Eugenia, Virgin"

     Þa æfter þrym gearum þæs þe heo gecyrred wæs...

     Then after three years since her conversion,...

2. behind
3. according to
   • c. 992, Ælfric, "The Nativity of All Saints"

     We mihton ðas halgan rædinge menigfealdlicor trahtnian, æfter Augustines smeagunge, ac us twynað hwæðer ge magon maran deopnysse ðæron þearflice tocnawan; ac uton biddan mid inweardre heortan þone Ælmihtigan Wealdend, seðe ús mid menigfealdre mærsunge ealra his halgena nu to-dæg geblissode, þæt he us getiðige genihtsumnysse his miltsunge þurh heora menigfealdan þingrædena, þæt we on écere gesihðe mid him blission, swa swa we nu mid hwilwendlicere þenunge hí wurðiað.

     We might more elaborately expound this holy text, according to the interpretation of Augustine, but we doubt whether ye can accurately judge of greater deepness therein; but let us with inward heart pray to the Almighty Ruler, who has gladdened us to-day with the manifold celebration of all his saints, that he grant us abundance of his mercy through their manifold intercessions, so that we ever in their sight may rejoice with them, as we now with transitory service honour them.

Adverb

æfter

1. after
2. behind

Descendants

• Middle English: after, efter
  • English: after
  • Geordie English: efter
  • Scots: efter, eftir