together

Etymology

From Late Middle English together, from earlier togedere, togadere, from Old English tōgædere (“together”), from Proto-Germanic *tō (“to”) + *gadar (“together”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰedʰ- (“to unite, keep”), equivalent to to-₂ + gather. Cognate with Scots togiddir, thegither (“together”), Old Frisian togadera (“together”), Middle Dutch tegadere, tegader (“together”), Middle High German gater (“together”). Compare also Old English ætgædere (“together”), Old English ġeador (“together”). More at gather.

adv

1. At the same time, in the same place; in close association or proximity.
   We went to school together.
   […]purſued his vnneighbourly purpoſe in ſuch ſort: that hee being the ſtronger perſwader, and ſhe (belike) too credulous in beleeuing or elſe ouer-feeble in reſiſting, from priuate imparlance, they fell to action; and continued their cloſe fight a long while together, vnſeene and vvithout ſuſpition, no doubt to their equall ioy and contentment. 1620, Giovanni Bocaccio, translated by John Florio, The Decameron, Containing an Hundred Pleaſant Nouels: Wittily Diſcourſed, Betweene Seuen Honourable Ladies, and Three Noble Gentlemen, Isaac Iaggard, Nouell 8, The Eighth Day
2. Into one place; into a single thing; combined.
   He put all the parts together.
   Ne take noon hede to brynge togidere þe parties of þe boon þat is to-broken or dislocate, til viij. daies ben goon in þe wyntir, & v. in þe somer; for þanne it schal make quytture, and be sikir from swellynge; & þanne brynge togidere þe brynkis eiþer þe disiuncture after þe techynge þat schal be seid in þe chapitle of algebra. a1420, The British Museum Additional MS, 12,056, “Wounds complicated by the Dislocation of a Bone”, in Robert von Fleischhacker, editor, Lanfranc's "Science of cirurgie.", London: K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co, translation of original by Lanfranc of Milan, published 1894, page 63
3. In a relationship or partnership, for example a business relationship or a romantic partnership.
   Bob and Andy went into business together.  Jenny and Mark have been together since they went on holiday to Mexico.
   A chap named Eleazir Kendrick and I had chummed in together the summer afore and built a fish-weir and shanty at Setuckit Point, down Orham way. For a spell we done pretty well. 1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
4. Without intermission or interruption; continuously; uninterruptedly.
   He would weep for hours together, and I verily believe that to the very end this spoilt child of life thought his weak tears in some way efficacious. 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 218
   It has been raining four days together

adj

1. (informal) Coherent; well-organized.
   He’s really together.