hither

adverb (hither – old-fashioned)

«hither» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(old-fashioned) To here; to this place: «Come hither» means «come here». tree →
In the phrase «hither and thither» (or «hither and yon»): here and there, in many directions. tree →

In the lessons

An old word from fairy tales, the Bible and old stories, still alive in the phrase «hither and thither» – running about in all directions. The pair: hither (to here), thither (to there), whither (to where?). It makes speech sound old or grand, as in old-fashioned stories.

Examples

«Come hither, child,» said the old king. tree →
The ants ran hither and thither when we lifted the stone. tree →
Leaves blew hither and thither in the wind. tree →
The servants hurried hither and thither preparing the feast. tree →
«Bring the lantern hither!» called the captain. tree →
The puppy dashed hither and thither around the garden. tree →

Note

Old-fashioned: in everyday speech say «here». Hither = to here, thither = to there, whither = to where. Do not confuse «whither» with «wither» (to dry up and die).

In Jewish tradition

An old word for "here" or "to this place."

Interpretation. Joseph telling his brothers he was "sent hither" shows the tradition's view that God guided events for good.

Examples

And in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.' (Torah GEN.15.16, JPS 1917) tree →
Hereby ye shall be proved, as Pharaoh liveth, ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (Torah GEN.42.15, JPS 1917) tree →
And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Torah GEN.45.5, JPS 1917) tree →
Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them. (Writings PSA.73.10, JPS 1917) tree →
And Saul said: 'Bring hither to me the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings.' And he offered the burnt-offering. (Prophets 1SA.13.9, JPS 1917) tree →
But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot. (Prophets ISA.57.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Old-fashioned: in everyday speech say «here». Hither = to here, thither = to there, whither = to where. Do not confuse «whither» with «wither» (to dry up and die).

Early Modern English

Meaning

To this place. tree →

Then and now

Today we say "here" or "to here"; "hither" is old-fashioned and now found mostly in set phrases like "hither and thither". The sentences use it in the sense "to here", which is no longer normal.

Examples

And in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.' (Torah GEN.15.16, JPS 1917) tree →
I know why you come hither. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) tree →
Hereby ye shall be proved, as Pharaoh liveth, ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (Torah GEN.42.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: here, to this place.

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«hither» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«hither» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the Early Modern English dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«hither» in the Early Modern English dictionary on Mova free.

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