adv. [ For sins, contr. fr. OE. sithens, sithenes, formed by an adverbial ending (cf. Besides) from OE. sithen, also shortened into sithe, sin, AS. siððan, syððan, seoððan, afterward, then, since, after; properly, after that; fr. sīð after, later, adv. and prep. (originally a comparative adv., akin to OS. sīð afterward, since, OHG. sīd, G. seit since, Goth. seiþus late, ni þanaseiþs no longer) + ðon instrumental of the demonstrative and article. See That. ] 1. From a definite past time until now; as, he went a month ago, and I have not seen him since. [ 1913 Webster ]

We since become the slaves to one man's lust. B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In the time past, counting backward from the present; before this or now; ago. [ 1913 Webster ]

How many ages since has Virgil writ? Roscommon. [ 1913 Webster ]

About two years since, it so fell out, that he was brought to a great lady's house. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. When or that. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Do you remember since we lay all night in the windmill in St. George's field? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

conj. Seeing that; because; considering; -- formerly followed by that. [ 1913 Webster ]

Since that my penitence comes after all,
Imploring pardon. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Since truth and constancy are vain,
Since neither love, nor sense of pain,
Nor force of reason, can persuade,
Then let example be obeyed. Granville. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Because; for; as; inasmuch as; considering. See Because. [ 1913 Webster ]

prep. From the time of; in or during the time subsequent to; subsequently to; after; -- usually with a past event or time for the object. [ 1913 Webster ]

The Lord hath blessed thee, since my coming. Gen. xxx. 30. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have a model by which he build a nobler poem than any extant since the ancients. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Sincerer superl. Sincerest. ] [ L. sincerus, of uncertain origin; the first part perhaps akin to sin- in singuli (see Single), and the second to cernere to separate (cf. Discern): cf. F. sincère. ] 1. Pure; unmixed; unadulterated. [ 1913 Webster ]

There is no sincere acid in any animal juice. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

A joy which never was sincere till now. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Whole; perfect; unhurt; uninjured. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The inviolable body stood sincere. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Being in reality what it appears to be; having a character which corresponds with the appearance; not falsely assumed; genuine; true; real; as, a sincere desire for knowledge; a sincere contempt for meanness. [ 1913 Webster ]

A sincere intention of pleasing God in all our actions. Law. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Honest; free from hypocrisy or dissimulation; as, a sincere friend; a sincere person. [ 1913 Webster ]

The more sincere you are, the better it will fare with you at the great day of account. Waterland. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Honest; unfeigned; unvarnished; real; true; unaffected; inartificial; frank; upright. See Hearty. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a sincere manner. Specifically: (a) Purely; without alloy. Milton. (b) Honestly; unfeignedly; without dissimulation; as, to speak one's mind sincerely; to love virtue sincerely. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Same as Sincerity. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. sinceritas: cf. F. sincérité. ] The quality or state of being sincere; honesty of mind or intention; freedom from simulation, hypocrisy, disguise, or false pretense; sincereness. [ 1913 Webster ]

I protest, in the sincerity of love. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Sincerity is a duty no less plain than important. Knox. [ 1913 Webster ]