till1
prep.
&
conj.
less formal way of saying
until.
Usage
Although till and until are generally interchangeable, till is usually considered to be more informal and occurs less frequently than until in writing. Until also tends to be the natural choice at the beginning of a sentence: until ten years ago, the drug was used as an illegal stimulant.
Etymology
OE til, of Gmc origin (not, as is commonly assumed, a shortened form of until).
till2
n.
a cash register or drawer for money in a shop, bank, or restaurant.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘drawer or compartment for valuables’): of unknown origin.
till3
v.
prepare and cultivate (land) for crops.
Derivative
Etymology
OE tilian ‘strive for, obtain by effort’, of Gmc origin; ult. rel. to till1.
till4
n.
Geology boulder clay or other sediment deposited by melting glaciers or ice sheets.
Etymology
C17 (orig. Scots, denoting shale): of unknown origin.