I. (|)ȯn, (|)än, in the southeastern US sometimes (|)ōn preposition
Etymology: Middle English, preposition & adverb, fr Old English an, on, preposition & adverb; akin to Old High German ana, preposition & adverb, on, at, Old Norse ā, preposition & adverb, Gothic ana, preposition & adverb, on, at, Latin an- (in anhelare to pant) Greek ana, prep & adverb, up, on, Sanskrit ann, preposition & adverb, after
1.
a. — used as a function word to indicate position over and in contact with that which supports from beneath
the book is on the table
was built on an island
kept his hands on the desk
b. — used as a function word to indicate presence within
rode there on a train
booked passage on an ocean liner
c. — used as a function word to indicate situation along a whole surface
a streak on the wall running from top to bottom
or at any particular point on a surface
there wasn't a mark on it
or to indicate situation at the projecting usually supporting edge or point or end of something
their clothes hung on a couple of nails in the wall
or situation inside of something (as clothing) worn by or covering the principal object of attention
found a knife on him
2. — used as a function word to indicate contiguity or dependence; especially (1) contact and support from elsewhere than beneath
a fly on the ceiling
hanging on the wall
(2) location closely adjoining something
a town situated on the river
or location very near some point of a narrowly extended area (as a street)
lives on the principal street of the town
(3) imminence or beginning (as of some action or activity)
the storm is on us
(4) connection or employment or activity with or in or with regard to something
works on the committee
is now on the third problem
will be on duty
has long been successful on the stage
(5) engagement in doing something
are now on a tour around the country
(6) source or support or basis on which something (as an action, opinion) turns or rests
learned it on good authority
his reliance on her
will do it on one condition
3.
a. — used as a function word to indicate position with regard to place, direction, or time; especially (1) position with regard to a point of the compass
on the west are rolling plains
(2) position near a specified part of something
on the side of the house is a garden
(3) occurrence during the course of a specified day
will see them on Monday
or of some other divisions of time
said she would write on the morrow
or at a set time
trains leave here every hour on the hour
(4) occurrence at the same time as or following or as a result of something
will send a check on receipt of the book
will do it on your arrival
was uneasy on arriving home and finding no one there
b. — used as a function word to indicate location in or progress along something taken as a standard
is on the right road
a boat keeping on course
4.
a. — used as a function word to indicate involvement in a specified condition
the house is on fire
beer on tap
merchandise on sale
or process
business is on an upturn
b. — used as a function word to indicate participation in a condition of privilege
has been on sick leave
or subjection to a condition of restriction
is on probation
5. — used as a function word to indicate manner
did it on the sly
cut it on the bias
6. — used as a function word to indicate the object of action or motion; especially (1) the object of action or motion coming especially down from above so as to touch or strike the surface or cover the upper part
watched the rain fall on the earth
put a lid on the jar
(2) the object of action or motion directed up to or against the object
crept up on him
marched on the ancient fortress
(3) the object of action or motion directed toward the object without actual physical contact
smiled on her
blamed it on them
was always bent on fighting
(4) the object of some emotion
had pity on them
or formality
served an injunction on him
or obligation
a charge on an overdue book
(5) the object in connection with which payment, computation of interest, reduction, or similar settlement is made
paid off a substantial sum on the mortgage
creditors received about 75 cents on the dollar
a rebate of 15 cents on a ton
an inroad on supplies
7.
a. : with regard to : with reference or relation to : about
agreed on a price
a monopoly on wheat
a satire on society
at variance on what to do
b. chiefly dialect : of
be not jealous on me — Shakespeare
8. — used as a function word to indicate means or agency
cut her finger on a knife
playing the latest hits on the piano
heard it on the radio
9. — used as a function word to indicate reduplication or succession in a series
trouble on trouble followed his involvement with her
loss on loss
10. — used as a function word to indicate an object of reference; especially (1) an object having some advantage or disadvantage
is very talented but has nothing on her brother who is a real genius
his brother has two inches on him in reach
(2) an object subjected to expense or cost
drinks are on the house
the joke was on me
(3) an object that bears some stress or strain
long hours began to tell on him
(4) an object subjected to indicated annoyance
the fire went out on him
don't try to pull that on me
or discomfiture or some other unwanted or detrimental thing
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, preposition & adverb, from Old English an, on, preposition & adverb
1. : in or into the position of being in contact with the upper surface of something or of being supported from beneath by the upper surface
the plates are on
put a jazz recording on
2. : in or into the position of being attached to or covering a surface
has suspenders on
put a clean shirt on
keep your hat on
3.
a.
(1) : toward a point that lies ahead in space or time : forward , onward
spent a day there and then went on to the next town
from here on you'll need help
(2) : at a more advanced point in space or time
will do it later on
did not see her until well on in the evening
was well on in years
b. : with forward movement or action : in constant progression : without break : continuously
read on late into the night
spoke on without hesitation
slept peacefully on
c. : in succession : from one to another : in continuance
a tradition handed on through the centuries
pass the note on
4.
a. : in or into action or operation
the radio was on
turn the lights on
: in or into a functioning state : in or into a state of activity
the water is on
the electricity finally came on
b. : in or into a position designed to set something into action or otherwise produce some activity
the light switch is on
had a large fish on
: in or into an operative position
the brake is on
5. : in or into the process of doing something : in or into engagement in some function or activity
two speeches had already been given and he was told he would be on next
has worked two nights and will also be on tomorrow night
a well-known star will be on in the role when the show opens
6.
a. : with an indicated part turned toward a point of contact, approach, or observation
the two cars smashed together head on
the boats collided bows on
b. : with direction toward something
didn't want to play but preferred simply to look on
7. : in a condition of being decided upon or planned for or regarded as something that must be done
has nothing particular on for tonight
8. : in or into a state of being aware of something
wasn't on to what had happened
: in or into a knowledgeable state about something
quickly got on to what they were trying to do
— usually used with to
9. : in a state of being willing to participate in something
told them about the plan and asked if they were on
10. printing : up
printed eight on
11. : on base in baseball
III. adjective
1. cricket : that sends the ball to the on
an on hit
an on drive
2. cricket : that is on the on side of the wicket
an on stroke
3. : permitted to flow by means of an opened valve or closed switch : flowing
the water was on
IV. noun
( -s )
: the side of the wicket on which a batsman stands in the game of cricket or the corresponding side of the field — compare off ; see cricket illustration