In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in a position or relation which is exterior to something; -- opposed to in or into. The something may be expressed after of, from, etc. (see Out of, below); or, if not expressed, it is implied; as, he is out; or, he is out of the house, office, business, etc.; he came out; or, he came out from the ship, meeting, sect, party, etc. Out is used in a variety of applications, as: --
Away; abroad; off; from home, or from a certain, or a usual, place; not in; not in a particular, or a usual, place; as, the proprietor is out, his team was taken out. "My shoulder blade is out." Shak. He hath been out (of the country) nine years. Shak.
Beyond the limits of concealment, confinement, privacy, constraint, etc., actual of figurative; hence, not in concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; as, the sun shines out; he laughed out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has leaked out, or is out; the disease broke out on his face; the book is out. Leaves are out and perfect in a month. Bacon. She has not been out [in general society] very long. H. James.
Beyond the limit of existence, continuance, or supply; to the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a condition of extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the fire, has burned out. "Hear me out." Dryden. Deceitiful men shall not live out half their days. Ps. iv. 23. When the butt is out, we will drink water. Shak.
Beyond possession, control, or occupation; hence, in, or into, a state of want, loss, or deprivation; -- used of office, business, property, knowledge, etc.; as, the Democrats went out and the Whigs came in; he put his money out at interest. "Land that is out at rack rent." Locke. "He was out fifty pounds." Bp. Fell. I have forgot my part, and I am out. Shak.
Beyond the bounds of what is true, reasonable, correct, proper, common, etc.; in error or mistake; in a wrong or incorrect position or opinion; in a state of disagreement, opposition, etc.; in an inharmonious relation. "Lancelot and I are out." Shak. Wicked men are strangely out in the calculating of their own interest. South. Very seldom out, in these his guesses. Addison.
Not in the position to score in playing a game; not in the state or turn of the play for counting or gaining scores.
Improper; unusual; wrong. -- Out of the woods, not in a place, or state, of obscurity or doubt; free from difficulty or perils; safe. [Colloq.] -- Out to out, from one extreme limit to another, including the whole length, breadth, or thickness; -- applied to measurements. -- Out West, in or towards, the West; specifically, in some Western State or Territory. [U. S.] -- To come out, To cut out, To fall out, etc. See under Come, Cut, Fall, etc. -- To put out of the way, to kill; to destroy. -- Week in, week out. See Day in, day out (above).
One who, or that which, is out; especially, one who is out of office; -- generally in the plural.
A place or space outside of something; a nook or corner; an angle projecting outward; an open space; -- chiefly used in the phrase ins and outs; as, the ins and outs of a question. See under In.
A word or words omitted by the compositor in setting up copy; an omission. To make an out (Print.), to omit something, in setting or correcting type, which was in the copy.
To cause to be out; to eject; to expel. A king outed from his country. Selden. The French have been outed of their holds. Heylin.
To come out with; to make known. [Obs.] Chaucer.
To give out; to dispose of; to sell. [Obs.] Chaucer.
To come or go out; to get out or away; to become public. "Truth will out." Shak.
Expressing impatience, anger, a desire to be rid of; -- with the force of command; go out; begone; away; off. Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools ! Shak. Out upon or on! equivalent to "shame upon!" "away with!" as, out upon you!
98,828 entries. Headwords are matched first, then definition text.