About
ABOUT', preposition [Gr. butan, without, [see but, ] literally, around, on the outside.]
1. Around; on the exterior part or surface.
Bind them about thy neck. [[Proverbs 3#3|Proverbs 3:3]]. Isa. Latin Hence,
2. Near to in place, with the sense of circularity.
Get you up from about the tabernacle. [[Numbers 16#24|Numbers 16:24]].
3. Near to in time.
He went out about the third hour. [[Matthew 21#3|Matthew 21:3]].
4. Near to, in action, or near to the performance of some act.
Paul was about to open his mouth.
They were about to flee out of the ship. [[Acts 28#14|Acts 28:14]] - 28:30.
5. Near to the person; appended to the clothes. Every thing about him is in order. Is your snuff box about you? From nearness on all sides, the transition is easy to a concern with. Hence,
6. Concerned in, engaged in, relating to, respecting.
I must be about my father's business. [[Luke 2#49|Luke 2:49]]. The painter is not to take so much pains about the drapery as about the face
What is he about?
7. In compass or circumference; two yards about the trunk.
ABOUT', adverb
1. Near to in number or quantity.
There fell that day about three thousand men. [[Exodus 32#28|Exodus 32:28]].
2. Near to in quality or degree; as about as high, or as cold.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house. [[1 Timothy 5#13|1 Timothy 5:13]].
4. round, or the longest way, opposed to across, or the shortest way. A mile about and half a mile across.
To bring about to bring to the end; to effect or accomplish a purpose.
To come about to change or turn; to come to the desired point. In a like sense, seamen say go about when a ship changes her course and goes on the other tack.
Ready about about ship, are orders for tacking.
To go about signifies to enter upon; also to prepare; to seek the means.