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English

/əˈbaʊt/, /əˈbʌʊt/, /əˈbɛʊt/

prep
Definitions
  • In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
  • Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
  • Indicates that something will happen very soon, indicates a plan or intention to do something.
  • Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
  • Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.
  • Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
  • On one's person; nearby the person.
  • (figurative) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in the possession of; under the control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English aboute inherited from Old English abūtan, on (on, a, in, or toward, at) + Old English būtan (outside of, except, without, only), be (by, around) + Old English ūtan (outside, from outside, on the outside, without)inherited from Middle English about.

Origin

Middle English

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Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms