about

I. adverb Etymology: Middle English, from Old English abūtan, from 1a- + būtan outside — more at but Date: before 12th century 1. a. reasonably close to <

about a year ago

> b. almost <

about starved

> c. on the verge of — usually used with be and a following infinitive <

is about to join the army

> — used with a negative to express intention or determination <

not about to quit

> 2. on all sides ; around 3. a. in rotation b. around the outside 4. here and there 5. in the vicinity ; near 6. in the opposite direction <

face about

> <

the other way about

> II. preposition Date: before 12th century 1. in a circle around ; on every side of ; around 2. a. in the immediate neighborhood of ; near b. on or near the person of c. in the makeup of <

a mature wisdom about him

> d. at the command of <

has his wits about him

> 3. engaged in <

act as if they know what they're about — T. S. Matthews

> 4. a. with regard to ; concerning <

spoke about his past

> b. concerned with c. fundamentally concerned with or directed toward <

poker is about money — David Mamet

> 5. over or in different parts of III. adjective Date: 1815 1. moving from place to place; specifically being out of bed 2. around 2