prep.
Pronunciation: ' fr ə m, ' främ also f ə m
Function: preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English from, fram; akin to Old High German fram, adverb, forth, away, Old English faran to go ― more at FARE
Date: before 12th century
1 a ― used as a function word to indicate a starting point of a physical movement or a starting point in measuring or reckoning or in a statement of limits <came here from the city> <a week from today> <cost from $5 to $10> b ― used as a function word to indicate the starting or focal point of an activity <called me from a pay phone> <ran a business from her home>
2 ― used as a function word to indicate physical separation or an act or condition of removal, abstention, exclusion, release, subtraction, or differentiation <protection from the sun> <relief from anxiety>
3 ― used as a function word to indicate the source, cause, agent, or basis <we conclude from this> <a call from my lawyer> <inherited a love of music from his father> <worked hard from necessity>