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# or

conjunction

«or» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Or gives a choice between two or more things: tea or juice? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m1)
2. Or means if not, otherwise: Hurry, or you'll be late. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m2)
3. Or can give another word for the same thing: a joey, or baby kangaroo. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m3)
4. «Either … or» gives exactly two choices; «whether or not» means in either case. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m4)
5. (casual) «Or what?» at the end pushes a question: «you coming or what?»; «or something», «or whatever» mean roughly, I'm not sure. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m5)
6. (rough) «Or else!» at the end is a threat: «Give it back, or else!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m6)
7. (formal) The exam voice says «alternatively», «otherwise», «failing which», «or, equivalently», «either … or …», «respectively». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#m7)

### In the lessons

choosing between two possibilities («Do we add or subtract?»); in everyday life choices («now or later?»), warnings («wear a hat or you'll get burnt»); «more or less» (about), «or so» (about); in maths «either … or», «is it odd or even?»; in casual talk «or what?», «or something»; in rough talk «or else»; in the exam voice «alternatively», «failing which», «either A or B»

### Examples

- First decide: are things coming together, or going away? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x1)
- Do we add or subtract? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x2)
- Do you want an apple or a banana? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x3)
- Is 15 odd or even? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x4)
- Put on sunscreen, or you will get sunburnt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x5)
- You can draw a cat, a dog or a horse. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x6)
- We will be there in ten minutes or so. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x7)
- A baby kangaroo, or joey, lives in its mum's pouch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x8)
- are you thick or what, it's 12 [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x9)
- Give my ball back, or else! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x10)
- there's like 20 kids or something [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x11)
- Indicate whether the integer 15 is odd or even; failing which, no credit shall be awarded. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x12)
- "Are you awake or asleep, One-Eye? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/#x13)

### Note

No operation clue. Trap: «2 or 3 apples» is an estimate, not 5 apples; «20 or something» and «10 minutes or so» are about, not exact. «or else» is a threat or a bluff, and «or what?» is pushing, not a real choice. Do not mix «or» with «oar» (a paddle for a boat) and «ore» (rock with metal): they sound the same.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it joins choices or lists, often in laws, such as "or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed."

**Interpretation.** Laws often use "or" to list every case a rule covers, so no case is left out.

### Examples

- or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, (Torah LEV.21.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x1)
- Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. (Torah EXO.22.22, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x2)
- Know now whether it is thy son's coat or not.' (Torah GEN.37.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x3)
- Or doth the Almighty pervert justice? (Writings JOB.8.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x4)
- Or who laid the corner-stone thereof, (Writings JOB.38.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x5)
- Or where were the upright cut off? (Writings JOB.4.7, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/#x6)

### Note

No operation clue. Trap: «2 or 3 apples» is an estimate, not 5 apples; «20 or something» and «10 minutes or so» are about, not exact. «or else» is a threat or a bluff, and «or what?» is pushing, not a real choice. Do not mix «or» with «oar» (a paddle for a boat) and «ore» (rock with metal): they sound the same.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «or» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/or/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«or» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/or.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «or» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/O/or/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«or» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/or.html) on Mova free.