01 adv. At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.
-
1.
At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.“I have a patient now living, at an advanced age, who discharged blood from his lungs thirty years ago.” — Arbuthnot.
-
2.
Very lately; not long ago.“They that but now, for honor and for plate, Made the sea blush with blood, resign their hate.” — Waller.
-
3.
At a time contemporaneous with something spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred to.“The ship was now in the midst of the sea.” — Matt. xiv. 24.
-
4.
In present circumstances; things being as they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation.“How shall any man distinguish now betwixt a parasite and a man of honor?” — L'Estrange.“Why should he live, now nature bankrupt is?” — Shak.“Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now, Barabbas was a robber.” — John xviii. 40.“The other great and undoing mischief which befalls men is, by their being misrepresented. Now, by calling evil good, a man is misrepresented to others in the way of slander.” — South.
Phrases & compounds
Now and again —
now and then; occasionally.
Now and now —
again and again; repeatedly.
Now and then —
at one time and another; indefinitely; occasionally; not often; at intervals.
Now now —
at this very instant; precisely now.
Now . . . now —
alternately; at one time . . . at another time.