Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ something else is at the side of it or next to it.
On the table ~ an empty plate was a pile of books...
I moved from behind my desk to sit ~ her.
PREP
see also ~s
2.
If you are ~ yourself with anger or excitement, you are extremely angry or excited.
Cathy was ~ herself with excitement.
~ the point: see point
PHRASE: v-link PHR, oft PHR with n