prep., conj., adv., & adj.
--prep.
1. a following in time; later than (after six months; after midnight; day after day). b US in specifying time (a quarter after eight).
2 (with causal force) in view of (something that happened shortly before) (after your behaviour tonight what do you expect?).
3 (with concessive force) in spite of (after all my efforts I'm no better off).
4 behind (shut the door after you).
5 in pursuit or quest of (run after them; inquire after him; hanker after it; is after a job).
6 about, concerning (asked after her; asked after her health).
7 in allusion to (named him William after the prince).
8 in imitation of (a person, word, etc.) (a painting after Rubens; 'aesthete' is formed after 'athlete').
9 next in importance to (the best book on the subject after mine).
10 according to (after a fashion).
--conj. in or at a time later than that when (left after they arrived).
--adv.
1. later in time (soon after; a week after).
2 behind in place (followed on after; look before and after).
--adj.
1. later, following (in after years).
2 Naut. nearer the stern (after cabins; after mast; after-peak).
Phrases and idioms:
after all
1. in spite of all that has happened or has been said etc. (after all, what does it matter?).
2 in spite of one's exertions, expectations, etc. (they tried for an hour and failed after all; so you have come after all!). after-care care of a patient after a stay in hospital or of a person on release from prison. after-damp choking gas left after an explosion of firedamp in a mine. after-effect an effect that follows after an interval or after the primary action of something. after-image an image retained by a sense-organ, esp. the eye, and producing a sensation after the cessation of the stimulus. after one's own heart see HEART. after-taste a taste remaining or recurring after eating or drinking. after you a formula used in offering precedence.
Etymology: OE {aelig}fter f. Gmc