Library / English Dictionary

HITHERTO

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (adverb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time

Example:

the sun isn't up yet

Synonyms:

as yet; heretofore; hitherto; so far; thus far; til now; until now; up to now; yet

Classified under:

Adverbs

Credits

 Context examples: 

With the exception of this little blot, Emma found that his visit hitherto had given her friend only good ideas of him.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

Hitherto she had carefully avoided every companion in her rambles.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

In my eyes it bore a livelier image of the spirit, it seemed more express and single, than the imperfect and divided countenance I had been hitherto accustomed to call mine.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

But how have you fared hitherto?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Hitherto his orgies had always been confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and shattered, in the evening.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The excitement of these last manoeuvres had somewhat interfered with the watch I had kept hitherto, sharply enough, upon the coxswain.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

You have thriven well in the world hitherto, said the grinder, now if you could find money in your pocket whenever you put your hand in it, your fortune would be made.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

Hitherto he had ignored her, but now, both masters failing him, she alone was left.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

The Portuguese grocer, to whom he had hitherto paid cash, called a halt when Martin's bill reached the magnificent total of three dollars and eighty-five cents.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Hitherto they had been denied access to the fire, and they now settled down in a close-drawn circle, like so many dogs, blinking and yawning and stretching their lean bodies in the unaccustomed warmth.

(White Fang, by Jack London)