̈ɪəˈbaut prep. & adv. --prep. 1 a on
the subject of; in
connection with (a
book about birds;
what are
you talking about?; argued about money). b relating to (something
funny about this). c in
relation to (symmetry about a plane). d so as to affect (can do
nothing about
it; what are you
going to do about it?). 2 at a
time near to (come about four). 3 a
in,
round, surrounding (wandered about the
town; a scarf about
her neck). b
all round
from a
centre (look about you). 4
here and there in; at points
throughout (toys lying about the house). 5 at a
point or points near to (fighting going on about us). 6 carried with (have no
money about me). 7 occupied with (what are you about?). --adv. 1 a approximately (costs about a pound; is about right). b colloq. used to
indicate understatement (just about
had enough; it's about time
they came). 2 here and there; at points
nearby (a
lot of
flu about; I've
seen him about recently). 3 all round; in
every direction (look about). 4 on the
move; in
action (out and about). 5 in
partial rotation or alteration from a
given position (the
wrong way about). 6 in rotation or
succession (turn and
turn about). 7 Naut. on or to the
opposite tack (go about; put about). øbe about to be on the point of (doing something) (was about to laugh). [OE onbutan (on =
A(2), butan BUT(1))]