來自 then 的拼寫變體，并于 18 世紀(jì)開始成為兩個(gè)不同的詞，并產(chǎn)生詞義上的分化。如 A is bigger than B,原義為 A is bigger,then B.
英文詞源
than
than: [OE] Than is ultimately the same word as then, and the two were used interchangeably until the end of the 17th century. It is not clear how the adverb came to be used as a conjunction denoting comparison, although it is possible that the comparison implicit in expressions like ‘This one is better; then there is that one’ may have led on to ‘This one is better than that one’. => then
than (conj.)
Old English tan, conjunctive particle used after a comparative adjective or adverb, from tanne, t?nne, tonne "then" (see then). Developed from the adverb then, and not distinguished from it by spelling until c. 1700.
The earliest use is in West Germanic comparative forms introducing the second member, i.e. bigger than (compare Dutch dan, German denn), which suggests a semantic development from the demonstrative sense of then: A is bigger than B, evolving from A is bigger, then ("after that") B. Or the word may trace to Old English tonne "when, when as," such as "When as" B is big, A is more (so).
雙語例句
1. Their replies were no more than grunts of acknowledgement.
他們所謂的回答不過是表示承認(rèn)的咕噥罷了。
來自柯林斯例句
2. She's got a great voice and is singing better than ever.
她的嗓音非常好，現(xiàn)在的唱功比以往任何時(shí)候都要好。
來自柯林斯例句
3. The plane has been kept in service far longer than originally intended.
這架飛機(jī)已經(jīng)超期服役很長(zhǎng)時(shí)間了。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Jovial ladies chivvy you into ordering more than you can eat!
熱情的女招待會(huì)一再推薦，最后點(diǎn)的餐多到吃不下!
來自柯林斯例句
5. Father had no more than a superficial knowledge of music.