Definition of the word hereafter

The word "hereafter" has its roots in Old English and Middle English. In Old English, the phrase "hereaft" was used to mean "after this place" or "in this world". It was often used in combination with other words, such as "land" or "years", to indicate a period of time or a location. In Middle English, the phrase evolved into "hereafter" and retained its meaning of "in this life" or "in this world". Over time, the phrase took on a new meaning, referring to "the future" or "a time to come" rather than just a literal location. By the 14th century, "hereafter" had come to be used to refer to the afterlife, especially in a Christian context, and has been used to do so ever since. Today, the word is often used in the phrase "the hereafter", which refers to the afterlife or the future life.