a. [ AS. æfter after, behind; akin to Goth. aftaro, aftra, backwards, Icel. aptr, Sw. and Dan. efter, OHG. aftar behind, Dutch and LG. achter, Gr.
☞ In this sense the word is sometimes needlessly combined with the following noun, by means of a hyphen, as, after-ages, after-act, after-days, after-life. For the most part the words are properly kept separate when after has this meaning. [ 1913 Webster ]
After body (Naut.),
adv. Subsequently in time or place; behind; afterward;
It was about the space of three hours after. Acts. v. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ After is prefixed to many words, forming compounds, but retaining its usual signification. The prefix may be adverbial, prepositional, or adjectival; as in after- described, after-dinner, after-part. The hyphen is sometimes needlessly used to connect the adjective after with its noun. See Note under After, a., 1. [ 1913 Webster ]
prep.
Codrus after Ph&unr_;bus sings the best. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]
After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Matt. xxvi. 32. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ye shall not go after other gods. Deut. vi. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]
After whom is the king of Israel come out? 1 Sam. xxiv. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]
To name or
call after
Our eldest son was named George after his uncle. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]
He shall not judge after the sight of his eyes. Isa. xi. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]
They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh. Rom. viii. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]
He takes greatness of kingdoms according to bulk and currency, and not after their intrinsic value. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]
After all,
After (with the same noun preceding and following), as, wave after wave, day after day, several or many (waves, etc.)
One after another,
To be after,
n. (Med.) The placenta and membranes with which the fetus is connected, when they are expelled from the womb after delivery. [ 1913 Webster + AS ]
n. A throw of dice after the game in ended; hence, anything done too late. Gower. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. An unexpected subsequent event; something disagreeable happening after an affair is supposed to be at an end. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A second crop or harvest in the same year. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]
An irrespirable gas, remaining after an explosion of fire damp in mines; choke damp. See Carbonic acid. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The time just after dinner. “An after-dinner's sleep.” Shak. [ Obs. ] --
n. Aftergrass. [ 1913 Webster ]