OR ...

The smallest words say the most ... such as or ....

1.	(used to connect words, phrases, or clauses representing alternatives): books or magazines; to be or not to be.

2.	(used to connect alternative terms for the same thing): the Hawaiian, or Sandwich, Islands.

3.	(used in correlation): either … or; or … or; whether … or.

4.	(used to correct or rephrase what was previously said): His autobiography, or rather memoirs, will soon be ready for publication.

5.	otherwise; or else: Be here on time, or we'll leave without you.

6.	Logic. the connective used in disjunction.

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[Origin: 1150–1200; ME, orig. the second, unstressed member of correlative other … or, earlier other … other, OE āther … oththe, ā-hwæther … oththe, for oththe … oththe either … or; cf. ay¹, whether]

—Usage note See and/or, either.

[Origin: bef. 950; ME, OE ār soon, early; c. ON ār, Goth air early; cf. OE ǣr soon, before, ere]