hence

[ hens ]

adverb

1. as an inference from this fact; for this reason; therefore:

   The eggs were very fresh and hence satisfactory.

2. from this time; from now:

   They will leave a month hence.

3. from this source or origin.
4. Archaic.
   1. from this place; from here; away:

      The inn is but a quarter mile hence.

   2. from this world or from the living:

      After a long, hard life they were taken hence.

   3. henceforth; from this time on.

interjection

1. Obsolete. depart (usually used imperatively).

hence

/ hɛns /

sentence connector

1. for this reason; following from this; therefore

adverb

1. from this time

   a year hence

2. archaic.
   1. from here or from this world; away
   2. from this origin or source

interjection

1. archaic.
   begone! away!

Word History and Origins

Origin of hence¹

First recorded in 1225–75; Middle English hens, hennes, equivalent to henne ( Old English heonan ) + -es adverb suffix; -s ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of hence¹

Old English hionane; related to Old High German hinana away from here, Old Irish cen on this side

Example Sentences

“Hence, there might be a net benefit, at least to some females, of breeding within the natal group,” the researchers speculate.

From The Daily Beast

Hence, I suspect, the panic, the lockdown, the capitulation.

From The Daily Beast

Hence the recent Kerry trip to Rome to meet with Netanyahu and meetings with Europeans and Palestinians.

From The Daily Beast

In schools, this meant finding new ways to evaluate students—and hence their teachers.

From The Daily Beast

Hence the SWAT teams and armored trucks surrounding his house.

From The Daily Beast

Hence arise factions, dissensions, and loss to their religious interests and work; and these intruders seek to rule the others.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence Napoleon was driven more and more to trust to the advice of the rash, unstable King of Naples.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence it can be seen what hope there is of establishing a flourishing christian church by such evangelists.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence their presence elsewhere, in spite of their passionate attachment to their free native hills.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence it was that he found in Great Britain an implacable enemy ever stirring up against him European coalitions.

From Project Gutenberg