/anon-meaning-etymology

-) Adverb. 

-) Pronunciation and accent: ənɒn. 

-) It is dated from the beginning of 1100.

-) Etymology: Middle English anon, from Old English on an “in one; in one moment, in one movement, in a body, etc.”, from on “in” + an “one”.

-) 1. Obsolete and pristine values: -) a. In one body; together; in one accord. -) b. In one state. -) c. In one direction. 

-) 2. Archaic: instantly, at once.

-) 3. Misuse: in a short time; soon, in a little while.

… lie thou there, good dog, I’ll be back anon.

P. Egan… Robin Hood… 1840

You will not maltreat me. My partner, Sir Giles Mompesson, will be here anon, and will requite any outrage committed upon me.

W. Ainsworth… The Star-Chamber… 1854

-) 4. Now again; here again; then; now at this time.

-) Found in correlation with another adverb that has previously been used in the context.

… now to the right, then to the left, again up in the air, and anon to the bottom.

Dickens… Sketches by Boz… 1836

The wind came in sharp fitful gusts, whistling now, and anon sighing through the young green leaves and old boughs of the huge trees.

P. Egan… Robin Hood… 1840

I now heard as if the owners of the voices were moving slowly from place to place among the brushwood. There were intervals of silence, and then the whispering and talking would begin, and anon there was a sound of footsteps, nicked slowly, and with groping among the bushes.

 R. Douglas… Adventures of a medical student… 1848

A kind of zigzag channel had been worn on the side of the mountain, and through this the avalanche rushed, hidden at intervals, and anon shooting forth, and leaping like a cataract down the precipices.

J. Tyndall… The Glaciers of the Alps… 1860

Fräulein Müller was charmed at hearing some of her favourite poems, asking now for this little bit, and anon for another, and expatiating upon the merits of German poets in general, and Heine in particular, in the pauses of the lecture.

Braddon… Phantom Fortune… 1883

-) Ever and anon: ever and again, every now and then; frequently; often. 

It was a fearful page in the record of my existence, written all over with dim, and hideous, and unintelligible recollections. I strived to decypher them, but in vain; while ever and anon […] the shrill and piercing shriek of a female voice seemed to be ringing in my ears.

Poe… Berenice… 1835