King James Bible Dictionary

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. Isa. Latin 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 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 - 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. 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.

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 7:14.