WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : A*bout"
Part of Speech : prep.
Etymology : [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. abutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.]
Definition : 1. Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak. "Bind them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3.

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.

3. 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.

4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix. 18. "About my stature." Shak. He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3.

Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.

5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.

6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive:

Defn: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.

7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom." Milton. She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.


Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : A*bout"
Part of Speech : adv.
Definition : 1. On all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak.

2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.

3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13.

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. 28.

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