about

prep. [ OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. ābutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Around; all round; on every side of. “Look about you.” Shak. “Bind them about thy neck.” Prov. iii. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. [ 1913 Webster ]

Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Roving still about the world. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. “To-morrow, about this time.” Exod. ix. 18. “About my stature.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This use passes into the adverbial sense. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. [ 1913 Webster ]

I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. [ 1913 Webster ]

Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. “To treat about thy ransom.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope. [ 1913 Webster ]