other

other
other O.E. oþer "the second, one of the two, other," from P.Gmc. *antharaz (Cf. O.S. athar, O.N. annarr, Ger. ander, Goth. anþar "other"), from PIE *an-tero-, variant of *al-tero- "the other of two" (Cf. Lith. antras, Skt. antarah "other, foreign," L. alter), from root *al- "beyond" + adj. comp. suffix *-tero-. Sense of "second" was detached from this word in English (which uses second, from Latin) and German (zweiter, from zwei "two") to avoid ambiguity. In Scandinavian, however, the second floor is still the "other" floor (Cf. Swed. andra, Dan. anden).
Phrase other world "world of idealism or fantasy, afterlife, spirit-land" is c.1200; hence otherworldliness (c.1834). The other woman "a woman with whom a man begins a love affair while he is already committed" is from 1855. The other day originally (mid-12c.) was "the next day;" later (c.1300) "yesterday;" and now, loosely, "a day or two ago" (early 15c.). Phrase other half in reference to either the poor or the rich, is recorded from c.1600.
La moitié du monde ne sçayt comment l'aultre vit. [Rabelais, "Pantagruel," 1532]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Other — Oth er, pron. & a. [AS. [=o][eth]er; akin to OS. [=a][eth]ar, [=o][eth]ar, D. & G. ander, OHG. andar, Icel. annarr, Sw. annan, Dan. anden, Goth. an[thorn]ar, Skr. antara: cf. L. alter; all orig. comparatives: cf. Skr. anya other. [root]180. Cf.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • other — [uth′ər] adj. [ME < OE, akin to Ger ander, Goth anthar < IE * anteros, the other of two (< base * an, there + compar. suffix) > Sans ántara ] 1. being the remaining one or ones of two or more [Bill and the other boys] 2. different or… …   English World dictionary

  • other — 1. For each other, see each 3. 2. other than. When other is used as a pronoun or adjective, use of other than is straightforward and causes no comment: • I d never known anything other than hard times D. Dears, 1974. Objections are raised when… …   Modern English usage

  • other — ► ADJECTIVE & PRONOUN 1) used to refer to a person or thing that is different from one already mentioned or known. 2) additional. 3) alternative of two. 4) those not already mentioned. 5) (usu. the Other) Philosophy & Sociology t …   English terms dictionary

  • Other — Oth er ([u^][th] [ e]r), conj. [See {Or}.] Either; used with other or or for its correlative (as either . . . or are now used). [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Other of chalk, other of glass. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Other — Oth er ([u^][th] [ e]r), adv. Otherwise. It shall none other be. Chaucer. If you think other. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • other — UK US /ˈʌðər/ adjective ► ACCOUNTING used to describe amounts of money, usually small amounts, that are added together and not listed under a separate name in financial records: »These expenses are included under the headings utilities , taxes ,… …   Financial and business terms

  • other — [adj1] additional, added alternative, another, auxiliary, else, extra, farther, fresh, further, more, new, spare, supplementary; concept 771 Ant. included, related other [adj2] different contrasting, disparate, dissimilar, distant, distinct,… …   New thesaurus

  • other — index additional, alter ego, ancillary (auxiliary) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • Other — For other uses, see Other (disambiguation). The Other or Constitutive Other (also the verb othering) is a key concept in continental philosophy; it opposes the Same. The Other refers, or attempts to refer, to that which is Other than the initial… …   Wikipedia

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