according adjective & adverb. [ǝ'kɔ:dɪŋ] ME.
[from ACCORD verb + -ING².]
A. adjective.
1. pred. Corresponding to. ME-M16.

2. absol. Agreeing in nature or action. LME.
■ Tennyson Harder the times were.., and the according hearts of men Seemed harder too.

3. Appropriate, fitting. LME-L17.
b. adverb.
1. according to, in a manner consistent with or a degree proportioned to; as formulated by, as stated by. LME.
according to Cocker: see COCKER noun⁴. according to plan: see PLAN noun.
b. absol. According to circumstances. colloq. M19.

2. = ACCORDINGLY 3. Now rare. L15.
■ L. MacNeice In the second taxi..the clock showed sixpence extra; he tipped according.

3. according as, exactly as, just as; in proportion as; in a manner depending on which of certain alternatives is true. E16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲