[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/hither/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [H](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/h/) / hither # hither adverb (hither – old-fashioned) «hither» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (old-fashioned) To here; to this place: «Come hither» means «come here». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#m1) 2. In the phrase «hither and thither» (or «hither and yon»): here and there, in many directions. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#m2) ### In the lessons An old word from fairy tales, the Bible and old stories, still alive in the phrase «hither and thither» – running about in all directions. The pair: hither (to here), thither (to there), whither (to where?). It makes speech sound old or grand, as in old-fashioned stories. ### Examples - «Come hither, child,» said the old king. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x1) - The ants ran hither and thither when we lifted the stone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x2) - Leaves blew hither and thither in the wind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x3) - The servants hurried hither and thither preparing the feast. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x4) - «Bring the lantern hither!» called the captain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x5) - The puppy dashed hither and thither around the garden. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/#x6) ### Note Old-fashioned: in everyday speech say «here». Hither = to here, thither = to there, whither = to where. Do not confuse «whither» with «wither» (to dry up and die). ## In Jewish tradition An old word for "here" or "to this place." **Interpretation.** Joseph telling his brothers he was "sent hither" shows the tradition's view that God guided events for good. ### Examples - And in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.' (Torah GEN.15.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x1) - Hereby ye shall be proved, as Pharaoh liveth, ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (Torah GEN.42.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x2) - And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. (Torah GEN.45.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x3) - Therefore His people return hither; and waters of fullness are drained out by them. (Writings PSA.73.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x4) - And Saul said: 'Bring hither to me the burnt-offering and the peace-offerings.' And he offered the burnt-offering. (Prophets 1SA.13.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x5) - But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the harlot. (Prophets ISA.57.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/#x6) ### Note Old-fashioned: in everyday speech say «here». Hither = to here, thither = to there, whither = to where. Do not confuse «whither» with «wither» (to dry up and die). ## Early Modern English ### Meaning To this place. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/hither/#m1) ### Then and now Today we say "here" or "to here"; "hither" is old-fashioned and now found mostly in set phrases like "hither and thither". The sentences use it in the sense "to here", which is no longer normal. ### Examples - And in the fourth generation they shall come back hither; for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full.' (Torah GEN.15.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/hither/#x1) - I know why you come hither. (Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/hither/#x2) - Hereby ye shall be proved, as Pharaoh liveth, ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither. (Torah GEN.42.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/hither/#x3) ### Note Today: here, to this place. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/H/hither/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«hither» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/hither.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/H/hither/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«hither» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/hither.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «hither» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/H/hither/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«hither» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/hither.html) on Mova free.