ABOUTprep.
[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; Isaiah 50:11. Hence,
2. Near to in place, with the sense of circularity.
Get you up from about the tabernacle. Numbers 16:24.
3. Near to in time.
He went out about the third hour. Matthew 20:3.
4. Near to, in action, or near to the performance of some act.
Paul was about to open his mouth. Acts 18:14.
They were about to flee out of the ship. Acts 27:30.
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. 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.
ABOUTadv.
1. Near to in number or quantity.
There fell that day about three thousand men. 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
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.
Why go ye about to kill me. John 7:19.