text: what is "now"?   now (nou)  adv. at the present time: goods now on sale; the now aging dictator. at once; immediately: stop now. in the immediate past; very recently: left the room just now. at this point in the series of events; then: the ship was now listing to port. at times; sometimes: now hot, now cold. nowadays. in these circumstances; as things are: now we won't be able to stay.  used to introduce a command, reproof, or request: now pay attention. used to indicate a change of subject or to preface a remark: now, let's get down to work. conj. seeing that; since. often used with that: now that spring is here, we can expect milder weather.  n. the present time or moment: wouldn't work up to now.  adj. of the present time; current: our now governor. slang. currently fashionable; trendy: the now sound of this new rock band. idiom: now and again (or then)  occasionally.  [middle english, from old english nū.]