ABOUT

Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak. "Bind them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

On all sides; around. 'Tis time to look about. Shak.

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

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

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.

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.