The Collaborative International Dictionary
Soon \Soon\ (s[=oo]n), adv. [OE. sone, AS. s[=o]na; cf. OFries. s[=o]n, OS. s[=a]na, s[=a]no, OHG. s[=a]r, Goth. suns.]
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In a short time; shortly after any time specified or supposed; as, soon after sunrise. ``Sooner said than done.''
--Old Proverb. ``As soon as it might be.''
--Chaucer.She finished, and the subtle fiend his lore Soon learned.
--Milton. -
Without the usual delay; before any time supposed; early.
How is it that ye are come so soon to-day?
--Ex. ii. 18. -
Promptly; quickly; easily.
Small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide.
--Shak. -
Readily; willingly; -- in this sense used with would, or some other word expressing will.
I would as soon see a river winding through woods or in meadows, as when it is tossed up in so many whimsical figures at Versailles.
--Addison.As soon as, or So soon as, immediately at or after another event. ``As soon as he came nigh unto the camp . . . he saw the calf, and the dancing.''
--Ex. xxxii. 19. See So . . . as, under So.Soon at, as soon as; or, as soon as the time referred to arrives. [Obs.] ``I shall be sent for soon at night.''
--Shak.Sooner or later, at some uncertain time in the future; as, he will discover his mistake sooner or later.
With the soonest, as soon as any; among the earliest; too soon. [Obs.]
--Holland.