Main Entry:

¹about

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈbau̇t\

Function:

adverb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English abūtan, from ¹a- + būtan outside — more at but

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: reasonably close to <about a year ago> b: almost <about starved> c: on the verge of —usually used with be and a following infinitive <is about to join the army> —used with a negative to express intention or determination <not about to quit>2: on all sides : around3 a: in rotation b: around the outside4: here and there5: in the vicinity : near6: in the opposite direction <face about> <the other way about>