or 1
/awr/ ; unstressed /euhr/ , conj.
1. (used to connect words, phrases, or clauses representing alternatives): books or magazines; to be or not to be.
2. (used to connect alternative terms for the same thing): the Hawaiian, or Sandwich, Islands.
3. (used in correlation): either ... or; or ... or; whether ... or.
4. (used to correct or rephrase what was previously said): His autobiography, or rather memoirs, will soon be ready for publication.
5. otherwise; or else: Be here on time, or we'll leave without you.
6. Logic. the connective used in disjunction.
[ 1150-1200; ME, orig. the second, unstressed member of correlative other ... or, earlier other ... other, OE ather ... oththe, a-hwaether ... oththe, for oththe ... oththe either ... or; cf. AY 1 , WHETHER ]
Usage . See and/or, either .
or 2
/awr/ , prep., conj. Chiefly Irish, Scot., and Eng.
before; ere.
[ bef. 950; ME, OE ar soon, early; c. ON ar, Goth air early; cf. OE aer soon, before, ERE ]
or 3
/awr/ , Heraldry.
n.
1. the tincture, or metal, gold: represented either by gold or by yellow.
adj.
2. of the tincture, or metal, gold: a lion or.
[ 1400-50; late ME aurum gold ]