and / and/ • conj. 1. used to connect words of the same part of speech, clauses, or sentences that are to be taken jointly: bread and butter red and black tiles. ∎  used to connect two clauses when the second happens after the first: she washed and dried her hair. ∎  used to connect two clauses, the second of which results from the first: do that once more, and I'll skin you alive. ∎  connecting two identical comparatives, to emphasize a progressive change: getting better and better. ∎  connecting two identical words, implying great duration or great extent: I cried and cried. ∎  used to connect two identical words to indicate that things of the same name or class have different qualities: all human conduct is determined or caused—but there are causes and causes. ∎  used to connect two numbers to indicate that they are being added together: six and four make ten. ∎ archaic used to connect two numbers, implying succession: a line of men marching two and two. 2. used to introduce an additional comment or interjection: they believe they are descended from him, and quite right, too. ∎  used to introduce a question in connection with what someone else has just said: “I found the letter in her bag.” “And did you steam it open?” ∎  (esp. in broadcasting) used to introduce a statement about a new topic: and now to the dessert. 3. inf. used after some verbs and before another verb to indicate intention, instead of “to”: I would try and do what he said. See usage below.• n. (usu. AND) Logic Electr. a Boolean operator that gives the value one if and only if all the operands are one and otherwise has a value of zero. ∎  (also AND gate) a circuit that produces an output signal only when signals are received simultaneously through all input connections.PHRASES: and/or either or both of two stated possibilities: audio and/or video.

and OE. and, ond, corr. to OS. endi, OHG. anti, inti, etc. (G. und). A special development of meaning is that of ‘if’ (OE.). Now usu. sp. an, an' in this sense (cf. AN2); formerly often coupled with if.