or

views updated May 11 2018

or¹ / ôr/ • conj. 1. used to link alternatives: a cup of tea or coffee are you coming or not? she couldn't read or write I either take taxis or walk everywhere it doesn't matter whether the theory is right or wrong.2. introducing a synonym or explanation of a preceding word or phrase: the espionage novel, or, as it is known in the trade, the thriller.3. otherwise (used to introduce the consequences of something not being done or not being the case): hurry up, or you'll miss it all.4. introducing an afterthought, usually in the form of a question: John's indifference—or was it?—left her unsettled.5. poetic/lit. either: to love is the one way to know or God or man.• n. (often OR) Electr. a Boolean operator that gives the value one if at least one operand (or input) has a value of one, and otherwise has a value of zero. ∎ (also OR gate) a circuit that gives an output signal if there is a signal on any of its inputs.PHRASES: or else see else.or so (after a quantity) approximately: a dozen or so people.or² • n. gold or yellow, as a heraldic tincture: a bend or.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

OR

views updated May 23 2018

OR • abbr. ∎ operational research. ∎ Oregon (in official postal use).

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

or

views updated May 21 2018

or1 (adv., prep., conj.) before; sooner, ere; rather than. XIII (from XV often in or ever, or e'er, or ere). late Nhb. OE. ār early, ME. (in Scandinavianized areas) ār, later q̄r — ON. ár = OE. ǣr ERE.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

or

views updated May 21 2018

or2 particle introducing an alternative. XII. reduced form of †other (XII–XV), app. alt. of OE. oööe by assim. of the ending to words expressing an alternative, as either, whether (cf. the alt. of OHG. odo, MHG. ode, to odar, oder by assim. to weder neither).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

OR

views updated May 21 2018

OR
1. Abbrev. for operations research.

2. See OR gate, OR operation.

A Dictionary of Computing JOHN DAINTITH

or

views updated May 29 2018

or gold or yellow, as a heraldic tincture. Recorded from the early 16th century, the word comes via French from Latin aurum ‘gold’. It is one of the two metals used in heraldry, the other being argent.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES