hitherto

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adverb used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

Etymology

The adverb is derived from Middle English hiderto (“to the present time, until now; up to this point”), from hider (“in this direction, to or toward this place; up to the present time, until now”) (from Old English hider (“to here, hither”)) + to (“in the direction of, toward; etc.”). By surface analysis, hither + to. The adjective is derived from the adverb.

In classic literature

Synonyms

so far, thus far, up to now, heretofore, as yet, yet, til now, until now

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