|əntə, -n.tu̇, -n.(ˌ)tü, +V often -ntəw preposition
Etymology: Middle English, from un- unto, until + to — more at until , to
1.
a. — used as a function word to indicate direction and completion of movement toward a place, destination, or object
come unto these yellow sands — Shakespeare
they had gone unto the wars — E.A.Poe
b. — used as a function word to indicate movement, inclination, or tendency toward an unreached object
we stretch our hands unto the Egyptians — John Donne
my inwardness and love is very much unto the prince — Shakespeare
c. archaic : at
2.
a. — used as a function word to indicate a limit of reach or extension
my nails can reach unto thine eyes — Shakespeare
b. — used as a function word to indicate a limit of contact, juxtaposition, or union
pressed his dead child unto his heart — Robert Browning
c. — used as a function word to indicate a limit in amount, extent, or degree
lay sick almost unto death — H.J.Johnson
assume the configuration of a balancer, even unto the finer details — V.C.Twitty
d. obsolete : next to : in front of
flout me thus unto my face — Shakespeare
3. — used as a function word to indicate the end of an interval of time or continuance
her sentence that subsists unto this day — Robert Browning
4.
a. — used as a function word to indicate aim, purpose, or destiny
went unto his doom
b. — used as a function word to indicate a result, condition, or situation achieved or imposed
our wars will turn unto a peaceful comic sport — Shakespeare
dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return — Gen. 3:19 (Authorized Version)
5.
a. — used as a function word to indicate a person spoken to
the serpent said unto the woman, ye shall not surely die — Gen 3:4 (Authorized Version)
b.
(1) — used as a function word to indicate the recipient of an action, benefit, or feeling or the person affected by an event
and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries — Gen 26:3 (Authorized Version)
unto you is born this day … a Savior — Lk 2:11 (Authorized Version)
(2) — used as a function word to indicate reference, concern, or interest
is a law unto himself — Raymond Daniell
each town lived unto itself — American Guide Series: Connecticut
c. — used as a function word to indicate the recipient of care, regard, faith, or reverence
attended unto his friend
hearkened unto his words
trusted unto his good fortune
6. — used as a function word to indicate comparison, agreement, or relationship
are dangerously like unto cancerous cells in the social organism — B.M.Beck
as
a. : with respect to
as strange unto your town as to your talk — Shakespeare
the effort of the individual reader to live unto God — L.A.Weigle
b. : in agreement with
an unto this he frames his song — William Wordsworth
c. : in comparison with
as water unto wine — Alfred Tennyson
7. — used as a function word to indicate possession, belonging, or relationship
documents pertaining unto the case
servant unto the king
cousin unto his wife
8.
a. — used as a function word to limit or direct the application of a quality or attribute to a specific individual or group
forgiving unto his enemies
liberties which are designed to be available even unto the most iconoclastic — New Republic
b. — used as a function word to indicate range of perception or knowledge
a secret known unto few
a name known unto many
9. — used as a function word to indicate something arousing a response or responsive action
yielded unto their prayers
bowed unto their demands
10. : besides
should have given him tears unto entreaties — Shakespeare