adv.
Pronunciation: ə - ' bau ̇ t
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ab ū tan, from 1 a- + b ū tan outside ― more at BUT
Date: before 12th century
1 a : reasonably close to < about a year ago> b : ALMOST < about starved> c : on the verge of ― usually used with be and a following infinitive <is about to join the army> ― used with a negative to express intention or determination <not about to quit>
2 : on all sides : AROUND
3 a : in rotation b : around the outside
4 : HERE AND THERE
5 : in the vicinity : NEAR
6 : in the opposite direction <face about > <the other way about >