- Main Entry:
- 1at
- Pronunciation:
-
\ət, ˈat\
- Function:
- preposition
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Old English æt; akin to Old High German az at, Latin ad
- Date:
- before 12th century
1—used as a function word to indicate presence or occurrence in, on, or near <staying at a hotel><at a party><sick at heart>2—used as a function word to indicate the goal of an indicated or implied action or motion <aim at the target><creditors are at him again>3—used as a function word to indicate that with which one is occupied or employed <at work><at the controls><good at chess>4—used as a function word to indicate situation in an active or passive state or condition <at liberty><at rest>5—used as a function word to indicate the means, cause, or manner <sold at auction><laughed at my joke><act at your own discretion>6 a—used as a function word to indicate the rate, degree, or position in a scale or series <the temperature at 90><at first> b—used as a function word to indicate age or position in time <will retire at 65>
