on

English

/ɒn/, /ɑn/, /ɔn/, /ɔʊn/

adj
Definitions
  • In the state of being active, functioning or operating.
  • Performing according to schedule; taking place.
  • Fitted; covering; being worn.
  • (chiefly) Acceptable, appropriate.
  • (informal) Destined, normally in the context of a challenge being accepted; involved, doomed.
  • (baseball) Having reached a base as a runner and being positioned there, awaiting further action from a subsequent batter.
  • (cricket) Within the half of the field on the same side as the batsman's legs; the left side for a right-handed batsman.
  • (euphemistic) Menstruating.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English on (one) inherited from Old English on (on, a, in, or toward, at) inherited from Proto-Germanic *ana (on, at, onto, ana) inherited from Proto-Indo-European *h₂en- (on, up, ancestor, onto, on high, old woman) derived from Old Norse upp á.

Origin

Old Norse

upp á

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms