after-

See also: after, After, and æfter

English edit

From after (adverb and preposition), and also continuing Middle English after-, efter-, æfter-, from Old English æfter- (“after, behind, against”). Cognate with Scots efter-, West Frisian efter-, Dutch achter-, German after-, Swedish efter-. More at after.

after-

(rare or no longer productive) With contrary, subordinate, or remote effect; denoting hindrance, setback, inferiority, etc.
afterdeal, aftertale
With adverbial or adjectival effect, forming compound words indicating something that comes afterwards in spacial position.
after-limb, after-ship, afterdeck (examples from ^[1])
With prepositional effect, forming compound words denoting something which follows the second element of the compound, and is less intense or significant.
afterglow, aftershock, afterthought (examples from ^[2])
With prepositional effect, forming compound words denoting follows and is a result of the second element of the compound.
afterbirth, afterlife, afternoon (examples from ^[2])

^ Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “after- (prefix),” December 2023, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/3484899098.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, s.v. “after,” accessed March 13, 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/after.