A-bout'1, prep.
[A-S. abutan, abuton, onbutan, onbuton, ymbutan, ymbeutan, about, around, from butan, baton, batun, buta, bute, without, on the outside, compounded of prefix be and utan, uton, outward; the latter is to be deduced from ut, ute, out, without, abroad. Cf. But.]
Sense 1. On the exterior part or surface of; on every side of; all over or around; in a circle surrounding; round.
Bind them about thy neck. Prov. iii. 3.
Sense 2. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in.
Roving still about the world. Milton.
Sense 3. In contiguity or proximity to; not far from; in connection with; nigh; near, in place, time, quantity, or the like;—hence, much used in inexact or approximative statements.
He went out about the third hour. Matt. xxi. 3.
There fell . . . about three thousand. Ex. xxxii. 28.
Sense 4. In concern with; engaged in; dealing with; occupied upon; hence, before a verbal noun or an infinitive, ready to; on the point or verge of; in act of.
I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.
Paul was now about to open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.
Sense 5. Relating to; concerning; with reference to; touching. “To treat about thy ransom.” Milton.