then
1440
considering the rest: things that are unimportant in themselves **6** to themselves for their private use; not shared: a whole house to themselves → see YOURSELF (USAGE)
**then¹** /ðen/ *adv* **1** at that time: We lived in the country then. | I was still unmarried then. | He met the princess, or Lady Diana Spencer as she then was, in 1975. | Will we still be alive then? | I hope we'll have finished by/before then. | When you see her, then you'll understand. **1** From then on (=starting at that time) he worked harder. **2** next; afterwards: Let's go for a drink and then go home. | Dinner was followed by coffee and then came the speeches. | First, Jane and then the others started clapping. **3** in that case: If you want to go home, then go. | What shall we do, then? Swim? **4** as a result; therefore: If x=5 and y=3, then xy=15. | Go out by the back door; then no one will see you. **5** besides; also: You must ask John to the party, and then there's Paul – don't forget him. **6** (used when expressing a general opinion about something that has gone before or something one has just heard): The result of all this activity, then, was that the government became very unpopular. | That must have been a surprise, then! **7** but then (again) however: I like watching television but then (again) I wouldn't miss it if I didn't have one. → see also NOW AND THEN (NOW), there and then (THERE)
**then²** *adj* [A] being so at the time: The matter was reported to the then head of the secret service.
**thence** /ðens/ *adv* *fml* **1** from that place; after leaving that place: We made our way to the coast and thence by sea to France. **2** *fml* *rare* therefore; for that reason: Just because he has remained silent, may we thence deduce that he has some guilty secret?
**thence·forth** also **thence·for·ward** /'ðens'fɔ:θ||'ðensfɔrwəd/ *adv* *fml* from that time on
**theo-** → see WORD FORMATION TABLE
**the·od·o·lite** /θi'ɒdəˌlaɪt||θiˈɑ:-/ *n* an instrument used by SURVEYORS for measuring angles
**the·ol·o·gian** /ˌθiəˈlɒdʒən/ *n* a person who has studied theology
**theological seminary** also **seminary** *n* especially AmE a college for the study of theology, especially for the training of MINISTERS or priests
**the·ol·o·gy** /θiˈɒlədʒi||θiˈɑ:-/ *n* **1** [U] the study of religion and religious ideas and beliefs: He read/studied theology at university. **2** [C;U] a particular body of beliefs about religion: According to Muslim theology there is only one God. →**o·log·i·cal** /ˌθiəˈlɒdʒɪkəl||-ˈlɑ:-/ *adj*: Priests are trained at theological colleges. →**o·log·i·cal·ly** /-kli/ *adv*
**the·o·rem** /'θɪərəm/ *n* *tech* (especially in MATHEMATICS) a statement that can be shown to be true by reasoning
**the·o·ret·i·cal** /ˌθɪəˈretɪkəl/ also **the·o·ret·ic** /-rɪk/ *adj* **1** based on or concerning theory, not practical experience: theoretical physics **2** existing only in theory, not in practice; HYPOTHETICAL: the theoretical ancestors of modern man | It's a theoretical possibility, but it won't happen.
**the·o·ret·i·cal·ly** /θiə'retɪkli/ *adv* **1** in a theoretical way; not practically: First I'll explain how it works theoretically, then I'll give you a practical demonstration. **2** according to theory but not really: Theoretically he's in charge, but in fact his secretary takes all the decisions.
**the·o·rist** /'θɪərɪst/ also **the·o·re·ti·cian** /ˌθɪə'rɪʃən/ *n* a person who forms or studies the theory of a subject: a leading political theorist
**the·o·rize** also **-rise BrE** /'θɪəraɪz/ *v* [I (about, on);T+that] to form a theory or theories; SPECULATE: It's easy to theorize about the reasons for the crisis, but we don't have the facts.
**the·o·ry** /'θɪəri/ *n* **1** [C] a reasonable or scientifically acceptable explanation for a fact or event, which has not been proved to be true: According to Darwin's theories, human beings and monkeys are descended from the same ancient animal. | to disprove a theory | [+that] The detective's theory is that the murderer was well known to the victim. **2** [U] (the part of a science or art that deals with) general principles and knowledge as opposed to practical methods or skills; set of rules or principles for the study of a subject: musical theory | We have two chemistry exams, one on theory and one practical. | political theory | (fig.) In theory the train should arrive at 9.15 (=this is the official time of arrival) but in practice it is quite often late. → compare PRACTICE **3** [U] (in MATHEMATICS) a body of principles, theorems etc. belonging to one part of the subject: *Set theory deals with the behaviour of groups of mathematical elements.*
**theory of evo'lution, the** the theory that all beings are developed from one original type of being, most famously supported by Charles DARWIN, who also suggested that only the fittest (FIT) types live on, while the rest die
**theory of rela'tivity, the** *tech* one of two theories expressed by Albert EINSTEIN about the relationship between time, size, and mass
**the·os·o·phy** /θi'ɒsəfi||-'ɑ:-/ *n* [U] **1** teaching about God and the world, especially involving direct experience of, or understanding of God **2** (often cap.) the teachings of an American movement which follows Buddhist and Hindu ideas about EVOLUTION and REINCARNATION →**theosophist** →**theosophical** /ˌθiəˈsɒfɪkəl||-ˈsɑ:-/ →**theosophically** /-kli/ *adv*
**ther·a·peu·tic** /ˌθerəˈpjuːtɪk/ *adj* **1** of or for the treatment or curing of disease: *therapeutic exercises/diets* **2** *infml* having a good effect on one's health or state of mind: *I find swimming/sewing very therapeutic.* →**-ally** /kli/ *adv*
**ther·a·peu·tics** /,θerəˈpjuːtɪks/ *n* [U] the branch of medicine concerned with the treatment and cure of disease
**ther·a·pist** /'θerəpɪst/ *n* **1** a specialist in a particular branch of therapy: a speech therapist **2** AmE a PSYCHOANALYST
**ther·a·py** /'θerəpi/ *n* [C;U] the treatment of illnesses in mind or body, especially without drugs or operations: *He's having therapy for his arthritis.* | She's been in therapy for years (she has been having PSYCHOANALYSIS). → see also GROUP THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, PHYSIOTHERAPY, PSYCHOTHERAPY, RADIOTHERAPY, SPEECH THERAPY
**there¹** /ðeər/ *adv* **1** to, at, or in that place: I liked living there. | Go and stand over there. (compare Come and stand over here.) | It's cold out there. | I like Scotland; the people there are very friendly. **2** at that point: He brought his historical account up to the 18th century and stopped there. There I disagree with you. **3** (used for drawing attention to someone or something, usually followed by the verb if the subject is not a pronoun): There goes John. | There he goes. Hello there! **4** *infml* (usually used after a noun) being present in that place: Can you pass me that book there? | (nonstandard) When are you going to get that there hole mended? **5** all there *infml* [usually in negatives] healthy in the mind: I don't think she was all there. (=I think she's mad.) **6** because it is there that (the answer given by a mountain climber called George Mallory when asked why he wanted to climb a certain mountain **7** get there *infml* to succeed in reaching an aim, completing a job etc: You'll get there in the end if you work hard! **8** there and back to a place and back again: It's 5 miles there and back. **9** there and then also then and there at that time and place, especially without any delay: She offered him the job and he accepted there and then. **10** there a (used when telling or persuading a child or animal to do something): Don't speak with your mouth full, there's a good boy! **11** there you are **a)** here is what you wanted: There you are! A nice cup of tea. **b)** I told you so: There you are. I knew I was right. **12** there you go *infml* **a)** you are doing again what you usually do: There you go, talking about people behind their backs again. **b)** (used for expressing sad acceptance of an unfortunate event): He lost all his money – well, there you go.
**there²** /ðər, ðər/ *pron* (used for showing that something or someone exists or happens, usually as the subject of seem or appear): There's a fly in my soup. | There's someone at the door to see you. | Is there anything you want to tell me? There aren't any cakes left. | There appears to have been a nasty accident. | There don't seem to be any missing. | I didn't want there to be any doubt about this. | Everything was silent and then there came a strange knocking at the door. | (fml) At no stage has there been any consultation with the director about this.
USAGE **1** usage tells us that someone or something that has not been mentioned before exists, happens etc. It is more natural to say: There's a man at the door than A man is at the door. **2** If the person or thing has already been mentioned or thought of, there cannot be used.