Definition of the word thereby

The origin of the word "thereby" can be traced back to the Middle English phrase "therby," which was used between the 13th and 15th centuries. The word "ther" was an Old English preposition meaning "thither," referring to a place or direction. The Old English word "bi" meant "by" or "near." When the two words were combined, they produced the preposition "therby," used to indicate a place or direction near which something happened or was being done. In Middle English, "therby" evolved into "therby" as the letter "h" often dropped from spoken English, leaving an "er" sound in its place. As the English language changed over time, the preposition "thereby" acquired a new meaning. It now signifies the result or outcome of an action, rather than simply indicating a place or direction. This new meaning emerged during the Renaissance period, in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, the word "thereby" is used in written English to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship or the result or consequence of an action. While its usage has become less common in modern English, it is still considered grammatically correct and is widely used in formal writing. Its origins remain rooted in the Old English language, a testament to the rich and complex history of the English language.