ABOUT

ABOUT', preposition [Gr. butan, without, [see but, ] literally, around, on the outside.]1. Around; on the exterior part or surface.Bind them about thy neck. Proverbs 3:3. Isa. Latin Hence, 2. Near to in place, with the sense of circularity.Get you up from about the tabernacle. Numbers 16:24.3. Near to in time.He went out about the third hour. Matthew 21:3.4. Near to, in action, or near to the performance of some act.Paul was about to open his mouth.They were about to flee out of the ship. Acts 28:14 - 28:30.5. Near to the person; appended to the clothes. Every thing about him is in order. Is your snuff box about you? From nearness on all sides, the transition is easy to a concern with. Hence, 6. Concerned in, engaged in, relating to, respecting.I must be about my father's business. Luke 2:49. The painter is not to take so much pains about the drapery as about the faceWhat is he about?7. In compass or circumference; two yards about the trunk.ABOUT', adverb 1. Near to in number or quantity.There fell that day about three thousand men. Exodus 32:28.2. Near to in quality or degree; as about as high, or as cold.3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.Wandering about from house to house. 1 Timothy 5:13.4. round, or the longest way, opposed to across, or the shortest way. A mile about and half a mile across.To bring about to bring to the end; to effect or accomplish a purpose.To come about to change or turn; to come to the desired point. In a like sense, seamen say go about when a ship changes her course and goes on the other tack.Ready about about ship, are orders for tacking.To go about signifies to enter upon; also to prepare; to seek the means.Why go ye about to kill me. John 7:14.

---

about. About, pr. near to, concerning; ad. around, every way

---

A‐bout″ (�), prep. [[OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. ābutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.]] 1. 1. Around; all round; on every side of. “Look about you.” Shak. “Bind them about thy neck.” Prov. iii. 3.
2. 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. 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. 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. ☞ This use passes into the adverbial sense. 5. 5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49. 6. 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. 14. 7. 7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. “To treat about thy ransom.” Milton.
She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.