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>