adv. and sb.
A. adv. † a. To a great distance around, everywhere (obs.). † b. At a great distance (obs.). † c. Far astray, out of the way (obs.). d. By far, very much (dial.).
c. 1300. Cursor M., 21821 (Cott.). Thoru him i regned ferr a-bute.
c. 1450. Political Poems (Rolls), II. 241. Wherfore concord ys put feer abowte.
1483. Cath. Angl., 128. Ferre a-boute, multum distans a via regia.
1848. A. B. Evans, Leicestersh. Words, etc., 35. ‘Oh! that’s the nearest way, fur-about.’
† B. sb. A digression, wandering. Obs.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, V. xxix. (1647), 280. But what need these farre-abouts?
