About

A·bout

prep.

Around; all round; on every side of.
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
— Macaulay.

Roving still about the world.
— Milton.
Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity.
He went out about the third hour.
— Matt. xx. 3.
In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business.
— Luke ii. 49.
On the point or verge of; going; in act of. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive:
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
— Acts xviii. 14.
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
She must have her way about Sarah.
— Trollope.

adv.

On all sides; around.
'Tis time to look about.
— Shak.
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house.
— 1 Tim. v. 13.
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time.
To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.