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other

UK[ˈʌðə(r)]US[ˈʌðər]
adj

used to refer to the second of two people or things, or to the people or things that are remaining or not included

pron

the second of two people or things, or the remaining people or things in a set or group

Etymology

The word 'other' originates from the Old English 'ōþer', meaning "the second of two, one of two, other, next, following." This term is traced back to the Proto-Germanic 'antheraz', which carried the sense of "the other of two." This Germanic root further descends from the Proto-Indo-European 'ánteros', a comparative form meaning "the other of two, one of the two." The semantic core has remained remarkably stable from its ancient origins, consistently denoting distinction or separation within a pair or a set. Its journey from a Proto-Indo-European comparative to a fundamental English word of contrast exemplifies the preservation of a basic relational concept.

Analysis

The word 'other' is a simplex word derived from a single, indivisible Old English root.

Examples

She held the book in one hand and a pen in the other.

This option is too expensive; do you have any other suggestions?

Some people prefer tea, while others like coffee.

other – Meaning, Etymology & Word Origin | OpenEtymology