after-

Meanings

1. With contrary, subordinate, or remote effect, denoting hindrance, setback, inferiority, etc.
2. With adverbial or adjectival effect, forming compound words indicating something that comes afterwards in spacial position.
3. With prepositional effect, forming compound words denoting something which follows the second element of the compound, and is less intense or significant.
4. With prepositional effect, forming compound words denoting follows and is a result of the second element of the compound.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep Proto-Indo-European *-o Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó Proto-Indo-European *-teros Proto-Indo-European *h₂ep(o)teros Proto-Germanic *after Old English æfter Middle English after English after ▲ Old English æfter Old English æfter- Middle English after- English after- From after (adverb and preposition), and also continuing Middle English after-, efter-, æfter-, from Old English æfter- (“after, behind, against”). Cognate with Scots efter-, West Frisian efter-, Dutch achter-, German after-, Swedish efter-. More at after.