definition of the word aboutby the Wiktionnary
Old English onbūtan, from on + būtan (“‘outside’”).
about
- Around; all round; outside or on every side of.
- Quotations
- If thou beest not immortal look about you. - Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, II-iii
- Bind them about thy neck. - Proverbs 3:3
- In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
- Quotations
- Have you much money about you? - Bulwer
- Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
- Quotations
- Lampoons ... were handed about the coffeehouses. - Macaulay
- Roving still about the world. - Milton
- Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity.
- Quotations
- To-morrow, about this time. - Exodus 9:18
- She is about my height. - Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, IV-iv
- He went out about the third hour. - Matthew 20:3
- Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
- In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
- Quotations
- I must be about my Father's business. - Luke 2:49
- (Before a verbal noun or an infinitive): On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
- Quotations
- Paul was now about to open his mouth. - Acts 18:14
- Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
- Quotations
- To treat about thy ransom. - Milton
- She must have her way about Sarah. - Trollope
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