1 a connecting words, clauses, or sentences, that are to be taken jointly (cakes and buns; white and brown bread; buy and sell; two hundred and forty). b implying progression (better and better). c implying causation (do that and I'll hit you; she hit him and he cried). d implying great duration (he cried and cried). e implying a great number (miles and miles). f implying addition (two and two are four). g implying variety (there are books and books). h implying succession (walking two and two).
2 colloq. to (try and open it).
3 in relation to (Britain and the EEC).
Phrases and idioms:
and/or either or both of two stated possibilities (usually restricted to legal and commercial use).
Etymology: OE and
Useful english dictionary. 2012.