A‐bout″ (�), prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. ābutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.]
1. Around; all round; on every side of. “Look about you.” Shak. “Bind them about thy neck.” Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). “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.
Lampoons... were handed about the coffeehouses.
Macaulay.
Roving still about the world.
Milton.
4. Near; not far from; — determining approximately time, size, quantity. “To-morrow, about this time.” Exod. ix. 18. “About my stature.” Shak.
He went out about the third hour.
Matt. xx. 3.
☞ This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business.
Luke ii. 49.
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
Acts xviii. 14.
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. “To treat about thy ransom.” Milton.
She must have her way about Sarah.
Trollope.