Shahi - A visual dictionary

about

(preposition)
1. Around; all round; outside or on every side of.
  Quotations
  - If thou beest not immortal look about you. - Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, II-iii
  - Bind them about thy neck. - Proverbs 3:3
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
  Quotations
  - Have you much money about you? - Bulwer
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
  Quotations
  - Lampoons ... were handed about the coffeehouses. - Macaulay
  - Roving still about the world. - Milton
4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity.
  Quotations
  - To-morrow, about this time. - Exodus 9:18
  - She is about my height. - Shakespeare, Two Gentlemen of Verona, IV-iv
  - He went out about the third hour. - Matthew 20:3
  Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
  Quotations
  - I must be about my Father's business. - Luke 2:49
6. (Before a verbal noun or an infinitive): On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
  Quotations
  - Paul was now about to open his mouth. - Acts 18:14
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
  Quotations
  - To treat about thy ransom. - Milton
  - She must have her way about Sarah. - Trollope
(adverb)
1. On all sides; around.
  Quotations
  - 'Tis time to look about. - Shakespeare, King Lear, IV-vii
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
  Quotations
  - Wandering about from house to house. - 1 Timothy 5:13
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time.
  Quotations
  - There fell ... about three thousand men. - Exodus 22:28
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.

Shahi is a visual dictionary that combines Wiktionary content with Flickr images, and more!