in

I. preposition Etymology: Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German in in, Latin in, Greek en Date: before 12th century 1. a. — used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits <

in the lake

> <

wounded in the leg

> <

in the summer

> b. into 1 <

went in the house

> 2. — used as a function word to indicate means, medium, or instrumentality <

written in pencil

> <

bound in leather

> 3. a. — used as a function word to indicate limitation, qualification, or circumstance <

alike in some respects

> <

left in a hurry

> b. into 2a <

broke in pieces

> 4. — used as a function word to indicate purpose <

said in reply

> 5. — used as a function word to indicate the larger member of a ratio <

one in six is eligible

> II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. (1) to or toward the inside especially of a house or other building <

come in

> (2) to or toward some destination or particular place <

flew in on the first plane

> (3) at close quarters ; near <

play close in

> b. so as to incorporate <

mix in the flour

> — often used in combination <

built-in bookcases

> c. to or at an appropriate place <

fit a piece in

> 2. a. within a particular place; especially within the customary place of residence or business <

the doctor is in

> b. in the position of participant, insider, or officeholder — often used with on <

in on the joke

> c. (1) on good terms (2) in a specified relation <

in bad with the boss

> (3) in a position of assured or definitive success d. in vogue or season e. of an oil well in production f. in one's presence, possession, or control <

after the crops are in

> g. from a condition of indistinguishability to one of clarity <

fade in

> III. adjective Date: 1599 1. a. that is located inside or within <

the in part

> b. that is in position, operation, or power <

the in party

> c. inside 2 2. that is directed or bound inward ; incoming <

the in train

> 3. a. extremely fashionable <

the in thing to do

> b. keenly aware of and responsive to what is new and fashionable <

the in crowd

> IV. noun Date: 1764 1. one who is in office or power or on the inside <

a matter of ins versus outs

> 2. influence, pull <

enjoyed some sort of in with the commandant — Henriette Roosenburg

> V. abbreviation 1. inch 2. inlet