Definition of until

The word "until" has its roots in Old English, specifically from the phrase "till þe" which means "up to the time when." Over time, this phrase evolved into Middle English as "till, til," and finally into Modern English as "until." In Old English, the word "til" was used to indicate a point in time up to which something would happen. This usage was likely influenced by the Proto-Germanic word "*tiliz," which meant "up to" or "as far as." Later, the word "until" began to be used to connote a sense of duration or extent, rather than just a point in time. Today, "until" is a common preposition in English, used to indicate a point in time or a period of duration up to which something will happen or continue to be the case.