I. əˈrau̇nd adverb
Etymology: Middle English, probably from a- (I) + round, n.
1.
a. : in a circle or in circumference : round
the wheel kept going around
the track is a mile around
b. : in a course making a circle or part of a circle
waltz your partner around again
the wind has gone around to the south
c. : by a circuitous route : in a roundabout way
the road goes around by the lake
2.
a. : on every side : in all or various directions from a fixed point
the water of this well is famous for miles around
b. : in close from all sides so as to surround, confine, or envelop : close about
the old house is hemmed around by new apartments
people crowded around to look at the wreck
c. : in or near one's present situation
you have time to stay around a while
3.
a. : here and there at random : at, in, or to various places : from one place to another : all about
for a year he traveled around from state to state
the news soon got around
b. : to a particular place either specified or understood
invited him to come around for supper
c. : into a situation permitting doing or attending — used with to
it was a long time before he got around to reading the book
we'll get around to the work in the morning
4.
a. : in rotation or succession : in turn
another winter has come around
he passed the candy around to his guests
b. : from beginning to end : through
the region has a mild climate the year around
c. : in order
the other way around
d. : to a customary condition (as of health or consciousness) : to an improved state
medicines that will bring the invalids around
5. : somewhere close by : in the vicinity or neighborhood : nearby
all he could do was stand around and wait
6.
a. : in the reverse or opposite direction : to the rear
suddenly he turned around
b. : from one opinion, belief, or point of view to another : to an altogether different position or attitude
the public's reaction soon brought the legislators around
7. : in the neighborhood of : approximately , about
the book runs to around 500 pages
he comes at around the same time every day
•
- been around
II. preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from around, adverb
1.
a. : along the outer edge or boundary of : on all sides of
a neat yard with a fence around it
: so as to encircle or enclose : about
threw her arm around his neck
several people seated around the table
b. : so as to make the circuit of
around the world in 80 days
or partial circuit of
a voyage around Cape Horn
: so as to follow the curving course of
coming around the bend of the river
c. : so as to avoid or get past
leaping over fences and dodging around boulders
2.
a. : in the neighborhood of : near
the fields around the village
: in the same region with
the country around the source of the Nile
b. : close to
only the men around the president knew of his illness
3.
a. : in all directions outward from
stood looking around him
b. : so as to have a center or basis in
primitive societies which are organized around kinship ties — Weston La Barre
4.
a. : here and there at random in or throughout : about , over
constantly traveling around the country
b. : from one part to another of
wandering restlessly around the house
III. adjective
Etymology: around (I)
1. : going or moving about : astir
he has been up and around for two days
2. : in existence : alive , living , present
one of the most alertly intelligent of the artists around today — R.M.Coates
the troubles arising out of lack of money have been around for a long time — Murray Illson