about

Definitions

1. 1.2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about you" Bulwer.
2. 2.Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay. Roving still about the world. Milton.
3. 3.Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix.
4. 4."About my stature." Shak. He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx.
5. 5.Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
6. 6.In concern with; engaged in; intent on. I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii.
7. 7.6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii.
8. 8.7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom." Milton. She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.
9. 9.On all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak.
10. 10.In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
11. 11.Here and there; around; in one place and another. Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v.
12. 12.4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time. "There fell . . . about three thousand men." Exod. xxii.
13. 13.5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about. To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. -- To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. -- To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. "Shall we set about some revels Shak. -- Round about, in every direction around.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "about" mean?
• What is another word for "about"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is about.

• What is 2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about you" Bulwer called?
• What is near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix called?
• What is "About my stature." Shak. He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx called?
• What is note: This use passes into the adverbial sense called?
• What is in concern with; engaged in; intent on. I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii called?
• What is 6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii called?
• What is 7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom." Milton. She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope called?
• What is on all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak called?
• What is in circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across called?
• What is here and there; around; in one place and another. Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v called?