2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or
proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
``Have you much money about you?'' --Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in
various directions; here and there in; to and fro in;
throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
--Macaulay.
Roving still about the world. --Milton.
4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time,
size, quantity. ``To-morrow, about this time.'' --Exod.
ix. 18. ``About my stature.'' --Shak.
He went out about the third hour. --Matt. xx. 3.
Note: This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business. --Luke ii. 49.
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or
verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. --Acts xviii.
14.
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. ``To
treat about thy ransom.'' --Milton.
She must have her way about Sarah. --Trollope.
'Tis time to look about. --Shak.
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the
outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house. --1 Tim. v.
13.
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in
quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as
high; -- also of quantity, number, time. ``There fell . .
. about three thousand men.'' --Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite
direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to
turn one's self about.
{To bring about}, to cause to take place; to accomplish.
{To come about}, to occur; to take place. See under {Come}.
{To go about}, {To set about}, to undertake; to arrange; to
prepare. ``Shall we set about some revels?'' --Shak.
{Round about}, in every direction around.