Soon \Soon\, adv. [OE. sone, AS. s?na; cf. OFries. s?n, OS.
s[=a]na, s[=a]no, OHG. s[=a]r, Goth. suns.]
1. In a short time; shortly after any time specified or
supposed; as, soon after sunrise. ``Sooner said than
done.'' --Old Proverb. ``As soon as it might be.''
--Chaucer.
She finished, and the subtle fiend his lore Soon
learned. --Milton.
2. Without the usual delay; before any time supposed; early.
How is it that ye are come so soon to-day? --Ex. ii.
18.
3. Promptly; quickly; easily.
Small lights are soon blown out, huge fires abide.
--Shak.
4. Readily; willingly; -- in this sense used with would, or
some other word expressing will.
I would as soon see a river winding through woods or
in meadows, as when it is tossed up in so many
whimsical figures at Versailles. --Addison.
As soon as, or So soon as, immediately at or after
another event. ``As soon as he came nigh unto the camp . .
. he saw the calf, and the dancing.'' --Ex. xxxii. 19. See
So . . . as, under So.
Soon at, as soon as; or, as soon as the time referred to
arrives. [Obs.]
``I shall be sent for soon at night.''
--Shak.
Sooner or later, at some uncertain time in the future; as,
he will discover his mistake sooner or later.
With the soonest, as soon as any; among the earliest; too
soon. [Obs.]
--Holland.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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