[around] adv [ME, fr. [1]a- +
[2]round] (14c) 1 a: in a circle or in circumference "the wheel goes ~" "a tree five feet ~" b: in, along, or through a circuit "the road goes ~ by the lake"
2. a: on all or various sides: in every or any direction "papers lying ~" "nothing for miles ~" b: in close from all sides so as to surround "people crowded ~" c: in or near one's present place or situation "wait ~ awhile" 3 a: here and there: from one place to another "travels ~ on business" b: to a particular place "come ~ for dinner"
4. a: in rotation or succession "another winter comes ~" b: from beginning to end: through "mild the year ~" c: in order "the other way ~"
5: in or to an opposite direction or position "turn ~"
6: with some approach to exactness: approximately "cost ~ $5"
[2]around prep (14c) 1 a: on all sides of b: so as to encircle or enclose "seated ~ the table" c: so as to avoid or get past: on or to another side of "find a way ~ their objections" "went ~ the lake" "~ the corner" d: near "lives ~ Chicago" "~ the turn of the century"
2: in all directions outward from "look ~ you"
3: here and there in or throughout "barnstorming ~ the country"
4: so as to have a center or basis in "a society organized ~ kinship ties" [3]around adj (1849) 1: about 1 "has been up and ~ for two days"
2: being in existence, evidence, or circulation "the most intelligent of the artists ~ today --R. M. Coates" -- been around : gone through many varied experiences: become worldly-wise