How Do You Spell HITHERTO?

Pronunciation: [hˈɪðətˌuː] (IPA)

Hitherto is a word that means up until this point. Its spelling can be confusing because it contains several silent letters. The first syllable, "hit," is pronounced as /hɪt/, just like the word "hit." The next syllable, "her," is pronounced as /hər/ with a silent "t." The last syllable, "to," is pronounced as /tuː/, with an "o" sound instead of "e." So, the IPA transcription for hitherto would be /hɪt.ˈhər.tuː/. Despite its tricky spelling, hitherto is a useful word for discussing past events.

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HITHERTO Meaning and Definition

  1. Hitherto is an adverb that is used to describe an action or state of things that has existed or occurred up until now. It is often used to refer to a time or event that took place in the past and has continued up to the present moment. The word originates from Old English and is a combination of the word "hider," meaning here or to this place, and "to," indicating direction or movement.

    The term hitherto implies a sense of continuity or duration of a particular state or action. It is commonly used to introduce new information or to describe something that has not been previously mentioned but is relevant to the current situation or topic at hand. For example, one might say, "Hitherto, we have focused on the economic aspects of the issue, but now let's examine the social implications." In this context, hitherto is used to acknowledge the prior analysis while signaling a shift in focus.

    The word hitherto can also be used synonymously with "until now," "so far," or "previously." It is often found in academic or formal writing, as well as in speeches or historical accounts, where a sense of chronology and an understanding of past events is essential. Overall, hitherto serves as a useful tool in expressing the continuity of an action, thought, or state up to the present moment.

  2. To this time or place; in any time before the present.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for HITHERTO

Etymology of HITHERTO

The word "hitherto" originated from the Middle English term "hider-to", which can be broken down into two parts: "hider" meaning "to this place" or "to this point", and "to" meaning "until" or "up to". The "-to" element in "hitherto" comes from the Old English word "to", ultimately derived from the Proto-Germanic "to". Therefore, "hitherto" can be understood as "to this place" or "until this time" in its literal sense.

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