Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Than
Than
(thăn)
, c
onj.
[OE.
than
, thon
, then
, thanne
, thonne
, thenne
, than, then, AS. ðanne
, ðonne
, ðaenne
; akin to D. dan
, OHG. danne
, G. dann
then, denn
than, for, Goth. þan
then, and to E. the
, there
, that
. See That
, and cf. Then
.] A particle expressing comparison, used after certain adjectives and adverbs which express comparison or diversity, as more, better, other, otherwise, and the like. It is usually followed by the object compared in the nominative case. Sometimes, however, the object compared is placed in the objective case, and than is then considered by some grammarians as a preposition. Sometimes the object is expressed in a sentence, usually introduced by that;
as, I would rather suffer
. than
that you should wantBehold, a greater
than
Solomon is here. Matt. xii. 42.
Which when Beelzebub perceived,
Satan except, none higher sat.
than
whom,Satan except, none higher sat.
Milton.
It’s wiser being good
It's safer being meek
It's fitter being sane
than
bad;It's safer being meek
than
fierce;It's fitter being sane
than
mad. R. Browning.
Webster 1828 Edition
Than
THAN
,adv.
After more, or an equivalent termination, the following word implies less, or worse; after less, or an equivalent termination, it implies more or better.