At prep.

Forms: 1–2 æt, 2–3 et (ed), 3–6 att, 5 ate, atte, 2– at. [Common Teut.; OE. æt is cogn. with OS. at, OFris. (at) et, ON. at, OHG. az, Goth. at; also with L. ad to, at, Skr. adhi near. Lost in mod.G. and Du., where its place is largely taken by to (G. zu, Du. toe), as is also the case in s. w. Eng. dialects; in Scandinavian, on the other hand, to is lost, and its place largely taken by at, e.g., as sign of the infinitive mood, which is also the case in north. Eng. dialect. In OE. (as in the other Teut. langs.) æt governed the dative, only exceptionally the accusative. It was also compounded with many verbs: see AT- pref.¹, all of which are now obs. In ME. it coalesced with various cases of the ‘definite article’ in atte, atten, attere, ‘at the’; so also attam ‘at them.’]

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 167. Deð is attere dure.

c. 1175.  Cott. Hom., 231. Me sceold ánon eter gat ȝemete.

c. 1225.  Hali Meid., 7. Heuene atten ende.

c. 1250.  Moral Ode, in E. E. P. (1862), 26. Ded is ate dure.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 5694. And attam con þair fader frain.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 125. After the scole of Stratford atte bowe. [See others below.]

  At is used to denote relations of so many kinds, and some of these so remote from its primary local sense, that a classification of its uses is very difficult. Only a general outline can be here given; its idiomatic constructions with individual words must be looked for under the words themselves, e.g., AIM, ANGRY, APT. It will be observed that when a verb is construed with at, the same construction usually obtains with the cognate sb. and adj., and when at is used with an adjective, it is generally used also with a derived sb.; thus to envy, envy, envious at, apt, aptness at, etc. The arrangement of the senses here adopted is as follows:—I. Local position. II. Practical contact, engagement, occupation, condition, etc. III. Position in a series or graduated scale, rate, price, etc. IV. Time, order, consequence, cause, object. V. In other adverbial phrases. VI. With the infinitive mood. VII. Followed by other prepositions.

  I.  Local position; answering the question Where? (passing into Whereby? Whence? Whither?)

  At expresses the position reached by completed motion to, or that which is left by motion from: lines drawn to a point, from a point, or through a point, meet or intersect at the point. Hence, with certain verbs, at comes into contact with through, from, or of, to, and toward. See 10–15 infra.

  * Simple place or position.

  1.  The most general determination of simple localization in space, expressing, strictly, the simple relation of a thing to a point of space which it touches; hence, usually determining a point or object with which a thing or attribute is practically in contact, and thus the place where it is, when this is either so small as to be treated as a mere point, or when the exact relation between the thing and the place is not more particularly expressed by the prepositions close to, near, by, about, on, in, over, under, etc., all of which may at times be covered by at.

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen. (Gr.), 2426. Æt burhʓeate sittan.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 35. On snawe up et minne chinne, Ibid., 73. Et þe chirche dure, and … et þe fonstan.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 781. He stod … att Godess allterr.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1366. At a welle wiðuten ðe tun.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4175. He set at his owne table.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 1187. At vch brugge a berfray.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Wyf’s Prol., 6. Housbondes atte chirch dore I have had fyve.

a. 1400.  Sir Perc., 489. Made he no lett at ȝate, dore ne wykett.

1571.  Digges, Pantom., I. xix. At C and D the situation is all one, but at E it somewhat differeth, as you may behold in this figure.

1660.  Barrow, Euclid, I. ii. At a point given A, to make a right line AG equal to a right line given BC.

1787.  G. White, Selborne, vii. (1789), 21. To cut and deliver the materials at the spot.

1883.  Sc. Monthly, Dec., 34/2. These streamers seem to converge at a point beyond the zenith.

  2.  With proper names of places: Particularly used of all towns, except the capital of our own country, and that in which the speaker dwells (if of any size), also of small and distant islands or parts of the world.

  Cf. in the Isle of Wight, on Inchkeith, at St. Helena, at Malta, at the English Lakes, at the Cape, in Cape Colony. Formerly used more widely: at Ireland, at London.

755.  O. E. Chron. His lic liþ æt Wintanceastre.

c. 1205.  Lay., 5. He wonede at Ernleȝe.

1258.  Eng. Procl. Hen. III., § 7. Witnesse vs seluen æt Lundene, þane Eȝtetenþe day on þe Monþe of Octobre.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4423. The tole that was at Greece y-sought!

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 62. And foughten [hadde he] for oure faith at Tramassene.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VII. 183. In þese dayes a famous clerk … was at Ireland.

1641.  Vind. Smectymnuus, § 13. 128. James at Hierusalem.

1675.  Brooks, Gold. Key, Wks. 1867, V. 589. He is in a far country, he is at the Indies.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 151. Be not overthoughtful about what may happen at London.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 120. The Parliament met at Edinburgh.

Mod.  Did he graduate at Oxford or Cambridge?

  3.  At a person (L. apud): † a. In personal contact with; in the immediate presence or company of. Obs. (repl. by with, by, beside, in presence of, before).

  (At is still used with a person in other senses, as 12–14, 17, 25, 35, 36.)

c. 1205.  Lay., 25290. We weoren … at Ardure þan kinge.

1366.  Maundev., v. 38. The soudan may lede … mo than 20000 men of armes … and thei ben alle weys at him.

1382.  Wyclif, John i. 1. The word was at God … This was in the bigynnynge at God.

c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 613. And at sir Roger ȝende we wylle dwelle.

c. 1500.  Merch. & Son, in Halliwell, Nugæ Poeticæ, 28. Y schall be hastely at yow ageyn with the myght of Mary mylde!

  † b.  fig. In sensory or perceptional contact with; before, in the sight of, in the eyes of, in the estimation of. Obs.

a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter xxxviii. 13. Comelinge I am at þe … als al mi fadres be.

1388.  Wyclif, ibid. Y am a comelyng at thee … as all my fadris.

c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 105. Religioun clene at God, & at þe Fader, is þis, to visite þe fadirles & modirles.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., 296. At God it is possible a riche man to entre into the kingdom of heven.

1493.  Festyvall (W. de W., 1515), 93 b. Forsothe thou hast founde grace at our lorde.

1580.  Tusser, His Beleefe, xx. At God of Heaven there is forgivenesse of our sins.

  c.  ellipt. In active or aggressive contact; applying to, soliciting, pestering, assailing. Cf. 17.

1612.  Brinsley, Lud. Lit., iii. (1627), 21. Some of their parents … will bee at me … to helpe their reading of English.

1741.  Richardson, Pamela, I. 198. Mrs. Jewkes is mightily at me, to go with her.

Mod.  They have been at me for a subscription. The midges are at me again.

  4.  The preceding sense (3 a.) is now partly represented by the elliptical construction with possessive case: At (a person’s) house. Fr. chez, Ger. bei.

1562.  J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 110. Whan I at the shoemakers shall shoes assay.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. iv. 20. Thou shalt finde me at the Gouernors.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 114, ¶ 1. We had Yesterday at Sir Roger’s a Set of Country Gentlemen who dined with him.

Mod.  We met at her father’s.

  5.  At, as distinguished from in or on, is sometimes used to express some practical connection with a place, as distinguished from mere local position: cf. in school, at school; in or on the sea, at sea; in prison, at the hotel.

  In such phrases the article is often omitted, e.g., at home, at church, at college, at court, at town, at market.

a. 1000.  Beowulf, 3851. Hiʓelác Hreþling þǽr at hám wunode.

1340.  Ayenb., 56. At cherche kan God his uirtues sseawy.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 310. Som at ayllehowse I fande.

1556.  Chron. Grey Friars (1852), 65. Raynyd atte the yelde halle, & … condemnyd.

1606.  Shaks., Ant. & Cl., II. vi. 25. Weele speake with thee at Sea. At land, thou know’st How much we do o’re-count thee.

1694.  Echard, Plautus, 50. My master Amphitryon’s now at bed with Alcmena.

1754.  C’tess Shaftesb. in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury, I. 81. I was twice at Court before, the same week.

1758.  Dodsley’s Coll. Poems, V. 210.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 316. The light may be seen at sea much stronger … than it can from a great elevation at land.

1835.  Crabbe, Par. Reg., II. 456. No Sunday-shower, Kept him at home.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, x. What the parson at chapel says.

1884.  Times, 7/1. He was sent to be a boarder at the school for six months.

  6.  At an occurrence or event: i.e., at the place of its occurrence and taking some part in it; assisting or present at.

a. 1000.  Beowulf, 1239. Æt þǽre béor-þeʓe.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 27. Hwet wule mon et scrifte?

c. 1205.  Lay., 1871. Þer wes muchel folc at þere wrastlinge.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 1096. Thou schalt at hire bridale beon.

1432–50.  trans. Higden (1865), I. 193. The consuetude was in that tyme women to be at cownselles amonge the men.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., II. i. 97. When we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 2, ¶ 1. He fills the Chair at a Quarter Session with great abilities. Ibid., ¶ 2. He is at a Play.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair (1880), 255. He asked … whether he had been at the battle.

  7.  Defining the point or part of a body where any thing is applied; hence, sometimes, hanging or attached by; sometimes defining more generally the side or direction on which the thing is, as ‘A dog at his heels,’ ‘the friend at your left hand.’

a. 1000.  Cædmon’s Gen. (Gr.), 636. Hire æt heortan læʓ æppel unsælʓa.

a. 1230.  Ancr. R., 414. Sitte ȝe … ston-stille ed Godes fet.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 2142. Siweth me at my taile.

c. 1325.  E. E. Allit. P., B. 155. Byndez byhynde at his bak boþe two his handez.

c. 1450.  Merlin, xxii. 360. At the foote of the castell.

1613.  Purchas, Pilgr., II. xii. 177. At the Temple doore were two Lions tied at two chaines.

1631.  Weever, Anc. Fun. Mon., 815. The Seale … hanging at the parchment by a silke string.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 3, ¶ 9. Liberty with Monarchy at her right hand.

1712.  Budgell, Spect., No. 365, ¶ 14. I have nothing more at heart than the honour of my dear countrywomen.

1766.  Goldsm., Vic. W., xii. (1857), 72. Yonder comes Moses, with … the box at his back.

1870.  Trollope, Ph. Finn, 401. You have the ball at your feet.

Mod.  He wears it at his watch chain. Too old to be at his mother’s apron string. An infant at the breast.

  8.  Of distance: e.g., At hand, at a distance, at arm’s length, at a hundred yards.

1526.  Tindale, Matt. iii. 1. Repent: the kyngdome of heuen is at honde [Wyclir, neiȝe].

1594.  Greene, Fr. Bacon, Wks. 1831, I. 161. We are all ready at an inch.

1658.  Ussher, Ann., 749. They fought with them at hand, and afar off.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 348. To save himself against a coward arm’d At one spear’s length.

1796.  Nelson, in Nicolas, Disp., II. 215. The Corsican privateers keep at such a distance … I wish two could be directed to be always at my elbow.

c. 1817.  Hogg, Tales & Sk., V. 49. They held Dame Reason at the staff’s end.

1884.  A. Forbes, in Eng. Illust. Mag., Jan., 239/2. The long resistance … had held his soldiers at arm’s length.

  9.  Expressing the relation of an attribute to a particular place or part: e.g., ‘sick at heart,’ ‘out at elbows.’

c. 1000.  Crist (Gr.), 539. Hát æt heortan.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, II. iv. 10. A man ouerlustie at legs.

1735.  Thomson, Liberty, II. 121. Withered at the root.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 172. I wish at my Heart, the Gentlemen … would pursue such measures.

1825.  Waterton, Wanderings, III. iii. 255. The sight of the snake had … turned him sick at stomach.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 43. The late king had been at heart a Roman Catholic.

  ** Passing into through, by.

  10.  Defining the point at which anything enters, or issues, and hence the channel through or by which entrance or exit is effected.

a. 1000.  Batt. Fin. 16 (Gr.). Eodon æt óðrum durum.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 5. He rad in et þan est ʓete.

c. 1220.  Sawles Warde, in Cott. Hom., 251. Snikeð in ant ut neddren … et muð ant et earen, ed ehnen ant ed neauele.

c. 1320.  Seuyn Sag. (W.), 1449. And spak out ate windowe.

1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, D vj b. The theef that cometh in atte back dore.

1595.  Shaks., John, V. vii. 29. Now my soule hath elbow roome; It would not out at windowes, nor at doores.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 32, ¶ 2. Find an Hole for him to creep in at.

1848.  Thackeray, Van. Fair (1880), 118. He looked in at the dining-room window.

Mod.  Smoke issued forth at several orifices. He entered at the front door.

  *** Passing into from, of.

  † 11.  Determining the source from which anything comes, and at which we seek it: e.g., To ask, inquire, seek, learn, take, get, obtain, find, have, receive, buy, earn, win, suffer, at. Obs. or dial. (repl. by of, from) exc. in (b.) the expanded phrases at the mouth or hands of.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xi. 29. Leorniað æet me. Ibid., xxv. 28 Anymað ðæt pund æt hym.

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 33. Þu most biȝeten milce et þine drihtene.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 2697. Mai he no leue at hire taken.

c. 1320.  Seuyn Sag. (W.), 3103. At the lady the ryng he hase.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XIII. 484. Thai ask mercy, bot nocht at ȝou.

a. 1400.  Chester Pl., 194. Receive my sonne nowe at me.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, III. ii. Argt., How that Eneas socht ansueir at Apollyne.

1535.  Coverdale, Judith x. 7. They axed no question at her, but let her go.

1618.  M. Baret, Horsemanship, I. Pref. 4. Nature [hath] given to the Ant, such prouidence, that Man is wished to learne at her.

1794.  J. Hutton, Philos. Light, etc., 38. For that purpose, we must inquire at nature.

1883.  J. Sime, Hist. All-Israel, vii. 170. He was making a similar inquiry on this occasion at, perhaps, other maidens sent for water to the well.

  b.  1768.  Sterne, Sent. Journ. (1778), I. 132. I took it kindly at her hands.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 397. All that they had … suffered at the hands of the Tories.

1884.  Eng. Illustr. Mag., Feb., 303/1. He took at their hands the most outrageous treatment.

  **** Passing into to.

  12.  With certain verbs of motion: Indicating attainment of a position at: e.g., To end, stop, arrive, land at a point; hence, determining the point to which the motion extends.

  † a.  simply = ‘to.’ Obs.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. xxv. 43. Ge ne comon æt me.

c. 1400.  Destr. Troy, VI. 2674. Hit plesit wele þe pepull at Parys to wende.

c. 1400.  Sege off Melayne, 505. Thay wolde noghte come att Parische To thay had offerde to Seyne Denys.

1528.  More, Heresyes, III. Wks. 203/1. The vniuersitie, where he was … ere he came at you.

1537.  ? Tindale, Exp. John, 13. We wyl neuer come more at scoole.

c. 1601.  W. Watson, Decacordon, 180. To come at the holy altar.

  † b.  esp. Into the presence of, into personal contact with, near to; in To come at (L. accēdere): to approach, come near, have to do with. Obs.

c. 1532.  Ld. Berners, Huon, 630. ‘I charge the … that thou come no more at her, beware that thou fallest not in amours with her.’

1535.  Coverdale, Ex. xix. 15. No man come at his wife [Wyclif, Neiȝe ye not to ȝoure wyues].

1611.  Shaks., Wint. T., II. iii. 32. He hath not slept to night; commanded None should come at him.

1678.  R. L’Estrange, Seneca’s Life (1702). He would not let Piso come at him.

  c.  With idea of intervening space traversed: Even to, as far as; in To come (arch.), arrive, land at.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 1428. The thridde day … He aryved at Cysile.

1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 7732. In fallyng, A thowsand yhere … Ar it come at the erth.

c. 1400.  Sir Perc., 1819. Tille he come at a way By a wode ende.

1552.  Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial Off. When they come at [1559 to] the graue, the Priest shall say.

1611.  Bible, Luke viii. 26. They arriued at the countrey of the Gadarenes.

1612.  Brinsley, Lud. Lit., 61. When they come at the Passiue, let them doe the like.

1684.  Bunyan, Pilgr., II. 183. Then they came at an Arbor, warme and promising much Refreshing.

1712.  F. T., Meth. Short-Hand, 6. Without taking off the Pen ’till you come at a Vowel.

1870.  Jevons, Elem. Logic, xxiii. 191. To arrive at exactly the same results.

  d.  With idea of obstacles or difficulties intervening: esp. in To come, get at = to reach.

1530.  Tindale, An Answer, etc. (1850), 120. Worldly tyrants, at whom no man may come, save a few flatterers, [etc.].

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 2, ¶ 4. That great man has as many to break through to come at me, as I have to come at him.

1711.  Addison, ibid., No. 131, ¶ 1. The Sport is the more agreeable where the Game is the harder to come at. Ibid., No. 115, ¶ 5. Food and Raiment are not to be come at, without the Toil of the Hands.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, III. 199. There was no coming at her here, under my Mother’s Wing.

c. 1815.  Miss Austen, Northang. Abb. (1848), 40. ‘My dear Isabella, how was it possible for me to get at you?’

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, ii. Stooping down to get at his ear.

  ***** Passing into towards.

  13.  Of motion directed towards: In the direction of, towards, so as to get at; often with hostile intent, ‘against’; in To run, rush, go, have, throw, shoot, let drive, aim, etc., at.

a. 1400.  Octouian, 976. Swych twenty n’ere wortht a slo At me to fyght.

a. 1400.  Sir Perc., 1701. His swerde drawes he, Strykes at Percevelle.

c. 1485.  Digby Myst. (1882), v. 629. Be-gynne ye, and haue at yowe.

1590.  Shaks., Com. Err., II. ii. 136. Wouldst thou not spit at me. Ibid. (1596), 1 Hen. IV., II. iv. 217. Foure Rogues in Buckrom let driue at me. Ibid. (1613), Hen. VIII., I. i. 142. We may out-runne … that which we run at.

1663.  Butler, Hud., I. i. 356. To shoot at foes, and sometimes pullets.

1714.  Addison, Spect., No. 579, ¶ 7. The Dogs flew at him with so much fury.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 231. A great blow was about to be aimed at the Protestant religion. Ibid., 617. Once they were seen and fired at.

  b.  Of bodily action and gesture; in To point, look, stare, swear, shout, grumble, mock, laugh, etc., at.

c. 1400.  Sir Isumb., 625. The qwene … at hym faste loghe.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., I. v. 30. Hungry Wolues continually did howle, At her abhorred face.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 144, ¶ 2. That Patience of being stared at.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, ix. Ugly faces that were frowning over at her.

1854.  Thackeray, Newcomes, xvii. I. 163. Look at the horseman in Cuyp’s famous picture. [Cf. also 36.]

  c.  Of mental aim, allusion, hint, conjecture, etc.

1656.  Artif. Beauty (1662), 4. Eyes over-curious to find fault at Art.

1682.  in Harl. Misc. (1793), 439. Secrets … which now we can only conjecture at.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 112, ¶ 6. The Parson is always preaching at the ’Squire.

1711.  Budgell, Spect., No. 116, ¶ 2. I have before hinted at some of my Friend’s Exploits.

1749.  Chesterf., Lett., 194, II. 230. He … thinks every thing that is said meant at him.

1818.  Moore, Fudge Fam. Paris, vi. 61. This touch at our old friends, the Whigs.

  14.  Of motion or action directed towards the attainment or acquisition of: a. lit. in To snatch, clutch, catch, reach, make, etc., at.

1590.  Shaks., Mids. N., III. ii. 29. Briars and thornes at their apparell snatch. Ibid. (1593), 2 Hen. VI., I. ii. 11. Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious Gold.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 159, ¶ 6. Catching at every thing that stood by them.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 450, ¶ 1. All Men … make at the same common thing, Money.

Prov.  Drowning men catch at straws.

  b.  fig. To aim, aspire, endeavor, etc., at.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. vi. 30. Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 2, ¶ 4. Crowds who endeavour at the same end with himself. Ibid. (1709), Tatler, No. 22. A thousand that can dress genteelly at a mistress.

1777.  Watson, Philip II. (1793), I. I. 19. That power at which he had aspired.

1811.  Miss Austen, Sense & Sens. (1846), 38. You will be setting your cap at him now.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, xi. ‘Strangers are nothing to me,’ said the young fellow, catching at the words.

  II.  Of action, position, state, condition, manner.

  15.  With things that are the objects or centers of special activities, and are more or less put for the activities themselves: At meat = eating; at the bar = acting as a barrister, or as one on trial; at grass = grazing; at the stake, wheel, plow, etc.

a. 1000.  Beowulf, 2224. Æt þæm áde wæs eþ-ʓesýne swát-fáh syrce.

c. 1220.  Hali Meid., 37. Seoð þe cat at the fliche and te hund at te huide.

1297.  R. Glouc., 285. To be of bold word atte mete.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. VI. 104. And ben his pilgryme atte plow for pore mennes sake.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., III. ii. 283. To spend it at the wijn.

1611.  Bible, Jer. l. 11. As fat as the heifer at grass.

1773.  Johnson, in Boswell (1831), III. 91. He must be a great English lawyer, from having been so long at the bar.

1811.  Miss Austen, Sense & Sens. (1846), 263. And idled away the mornings at billiards.

1880.  Froude, Bunyan, 4. His father brought him up at his own trade.

  b.  Sometimes with the idea of instrumentality.

c. 1375.  Wyclif, Serm., xxxvi. Sel. Wks. 1869, I. 97. We may see þis at eye.

c. 1440.  Morte Arth., 449. Thowe moste spede at the spurs.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 24/1. No man demanded of that they sawe atte eye.

1641.  Cavendish, Wolsey (1825), I. 66. Thou shalt espy at thine eye the wonderful work of God.

1763.  C. Johnston, Reverie, I. 212. He foils the Devil at his own weapons.

Mod.  To contest it at sword’s point.

  c.  Hence in designations, as barrister-at-law, serjeant-at-arms, assault-at-arms, etc.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 89, ¶ 1. He is a serjeant at law.

1761.  Hume, Hist. Eng. (1826), II. xv. 377. Four thousand men at arms.

1884.  Daily News, 6 Feb., 2/2. The Speaker, attended by the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Chaplain.

  16.  With actions in or with which one is engaged: as at dinner, at work, at play.

1440.  Sir Eglamour, 230. At my jurney wolle Y bee.

1591.  Shaks., Two Gent., II. i. 46. As she sits at supper. Ibid. (1610), Temp., V. i. 185. This Maid, with whom thou was’t at play.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 415, ¶ 6. This … has set men at work on Temples.

1821.  Byron, Sardan., III. i. 424. Myrrha! what, at whispers With my stern brother?

1835.  Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 575. I trace the matron at her loved employ.

1872.  Daily News, 1 Aug., 3/5. The case, which excites great interest, is still at hearing.

  b.  At it: hard at work, fighting, etc.; busy.

1606.  Shaks., Tr. & Cr., V. iii. 95. They are at it [i.e, fighting], harke.

1666.  Pepys, Diary, 5 March. I was at it till past two o’clock on Monday morning.

1884.  Times, 3 March, 5/2. After having the wound dressed he was at it again.

  17.  After many verbs expressing action: to work, toil, labor, play at (a thing or action); to pull, nibble, kick, tear, knock, drum at (a thing). (Cf. 3 c.)

a. 1300.  E. E. Psalter cxxxix. 6. I might noght at it.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 660. To play at bal.

c. 1510.  Cocke Lorelles Bote, 14. Than every man pulled at his ore.

1588.  Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 326. When he plaies at Tables.

1594.  T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., II. 575. An Apparitour rapping at their doore.

1884.  Times, 30 Jan., 9/5. She saw him working at the Memoirs.

1884.  Longm. Mag., Feb., 445. The secret anxiety that was gnawing at her heart.

Mod.  To play at fighting; to work hard at clearing a path.

  18.  Connecting adjectives of occupation and proficiency, or their substantives, with a thing or action.

a. 1000.  Beowulf, 1910. Hord-weorþunge hnáhran rince sæmran æt sæcce.

1610.  Shaks., Temp., III. i. 20. My Father Is hard at study.

1663.  Butler, Hud., I. i. 25. Mighty he was at both of these.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 27, ¶ 4. Very aukward at putting their Talents within Observation.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 320. In agility and skill at his weapons he had few equals.

Mod.  Diligent at his lessons; readiness at replying.

  19.  Of posture, position: e.g., at gaze, at bay, at right angles.

1535.  Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 608. Thair tha stude rycht lang at thair defence.

1593.  Shaks., Lucr., 1149. The poor frighted deer, that stands at gaze.

c. 1680.  Sterry, 2nd Posth. Vol., 319. He lieth at wait to catch your Hearts.

a. 1843.  Southey, Wks. (1858), 174/1. Here, ere they reach’d their ships, they turn’d at bay.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, v. In some of the vessels at anchor.

1869.  Phillips, Vesuv., vii. 191. Section at right angles to the axis.

  20.  Of state, or condition of existence: e.g., at rest, peace, ease, liberty, a loss, etc.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 3108. Than mowe ye beon at ese.

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, XIX. 77. To se at myscheiff sic a knycht.

1470–85.  (1634), Malory, Arthur (1816), II. 398. Sir Launcelot … found them all at a great array.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., I. i. 133. Whiles Kites and Buzards play at liberty.

1649.  Blithe, Eng. Improv. Impr. (1653), 115. No man … would be either at want of Firing, or Timber.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 598. I shall shortly be with them at rest.

1707.  Lond. Gaz., No. 4343/4. You have not … left them at Uncertainty.

1709.  Pope, Let. H. Cromwell, 17 July. I … was utterly at a loss how to address myself.

1710.  Steele, Tatler, No. 264, ¶ 8. At liberty to talk.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 122, ¶ 2. One … who is … at Peace within himself.

1882.  Athenæum, 1 July, 24/1. In ‘Tristan’ these parts are often so unvocal that even such experienced singers as Frau Sucher, Fräulein Brandt, and Herr Winkelmann were sometimes at fault.

  21.  Of mutual relations: e.g., at war, at variance, at strife, at accord, at one, at daggers drawn.

c. 1305.  St. Dunstan, 143, in E. E. P. (1862), 39. Þis tuei bischopes and seint Dunstan were al at one rede.

c. 1325.  Cœur de L., 1369. We ben at on acord.

1493.  Festyvall (W. de W., 1515), 35 b. An other Knyght and this man fell at debate.

1539.  Tonstall, Serm. Palme Sond. (1823), 36. Howe the apostels fell at contention amonge them selfes.

1559.  Homilies, II. xviii. 504. When they be at hate betwixt themselves?

c. 1600.  Shaks., Sonn., xlvi. Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 1585. What cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself.

1853.  Thackeray, Eng. Hum., 65. Truth and lies always at battle.

1868.  Rogers, Pol. Econ., vi. 58. They have been at cross purposes when they should have been at one.

  22.  Of mode, manner, measure, extent, etc.

c. 1280.  Fall & Passion, 85, in E. E. P. (1862), 15. Hi [the Jews] seid at one mouþe · þat he wolde destru temple.

c. 1325.  Cœur de L., 571. I spak to hym at wurdes fewe.

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 1894. Terry him ansuerede þan; at schorte wordes & rounde.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. viii. 40. Alle tho gouernauncis … ben groundid at fulle … in the inward book.

1548.  Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Mark i. (1552), 119. Leused and sette at large.

1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., I. i. 27. Shall not behold her face at ample view.

1646.  Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., I. viii. 29. Their accounts are not to be swallowed at large.

1682.  Dryden, Medal, Ep. Whigs. The Picture drawn at length.

1795.  Coleridge, Conc. ad Pop., Ess. 1850, I. 87. The people at large exercise no sovereignty.

1857.  Buckle, Civiliz., vi. 298. The preceding specimens have not been taken at random.

  23.  Of conditioning circumstance: e.g., at peril, risk, hazard, expense, charge; at an advantage, disadvantage, etc.

c. 1380.  Sir Ferumb., 3485. At al perils wil y go.

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 553, ¶ 1. To be at the charge of it himself.

1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, V. vi. (1840), 57. Pursue her at the hazard of his life.

1866.  Crump, Banking, xi. 250. To supply its place at a loss.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 114. At all risks, at all sacrifices, to keep Normandy in full possession.

  24.  Of relation to some one’s will or disposition: e.g., at his will, pleasure, mercy, desire, discretion, disposal, command, orders, call, nod, beck, etc. (Allied to 7, 8; cf. at his elbow, at his call, at his beck, at his will.)

1250.  Lay., 9411. Weder him stod at wille [1205 an wille].

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 3546. Broþer, atty will all sal be.

c. 1450.  Merlin, xxii. 401. ‘Sir’ … ‘I will it be at youre volunte.’

c. 1532.  Ld. Berners, Huon, 457. To make your marchaundise at your pleasure.

1652.  Needham, trans. Selden’s Mare Cl., 425. To remain at his judgement and award.

1825.  T. Jefferson, Autobiog., Wks. 1859, I. 3. The King’s Council … held their places at will.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 252. Their votes were at his disposal.

  III.  Of relative position in a series or scale, degree, rate, value.

  25.  Defining special point in a series at which one begins, stops, ends, etc.

c. 1300.  E. E. Poems (1862), 18. First at prude I wol be-gin. Ibid., 20. Be-ginne at his heued.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Prol., 42. At a knight than wol I first begynne.

1535.  Coverdale, Ezek. ix. 6. Then they begane at the elders, which were in the Temple.

1536.  R. Beerley, in Four C. Eng. Lett., 35. Sume … begenynge at the mydes, and sume when yt ys allmost done.

1873.  Williamson, Chem., xvi. § 107. At about 250°C it [sulphur] is an opaque mass…. At still higher temperatures it again becomes perfectly liquid…. It boils at 490°C.

Mod.  With the thermometer standing at ninety in the shade.

  b.  esp. with superlatives.

c. 1325.  Cœur de L., 132. The wynd … servede hem atte the beste.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., I. xvii. 99. To be at uttrist examyned.

c. 1460.  Three 15th C. Chron. (1880), 59. She … put him dyverse tymes at the worste.

1596.  Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. ii. 73. Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest?

1876.  Trevelyan, Macaulay, i. 7. He was rewarded by seeing Johnson at his very best.

  c.  ellipt. (advb. phr.) = taken at best, most, least, etc.

a. 1661.  Fuller, Life H. Smith, in Smith’s Wks., 1866, I. 7. Wholly concealed or at the best uncertain.

1775.  Sheridan, Rivals, Pref. (1883), 78. At least double the length of any acting comedy.

1818.  Byron, Juan, I. cxvi. You … have been, At best, no better than a go-between.

1882.  Proctor, in Knowledge, No. 41. 178. Two, or at the outside, three miles.

  26.  Of rate or degree, at which a thing is done.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 4730. Þatt þu beo swinncfull att tin mahht.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 43. He halp our Kyng … at his myght.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks. (1871), III. 289. Seynt Gregory and Seynt Austin fledden at al here power to be bischopis.

c. 1450.  Henryson, Moral Fab., 19. Hee would doe vs pleasing, At his power.

1710.  Pope, Lett. Wycherley, 15 April. If I am to go on at this rate.

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 19. Jack Whirler always dines at full speed.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, i. Carrying me along with it at a great pace.

1882.  Athenæum, 24 June, 793. She lived and worked at high pressure.

  27.  Of price or value.

c. 1325.  Cœur de L., 362. He set his stroke at nought.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 174. A quarter whete was at twenty mark.

c. 1375.  Wyclif, Antecrist, 132. Wiþ knyȝtes at robes and fees … to leden her bridelis.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 29. Thi felowship set I not at a pyn.

1602.  Shaks., Ham., IV. iii. 60. If my loue thou holdst at ought.

1615.  E. S., Britain’s Buss, in Arb., Garner, III. 631. Addesses, for Cooper’s work, 6 at two shillings.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, 68. Twelve inches at six pence an inch.

1791.  Boswell, Johnson (1826), I. 67. A man might live in a garret at eighteen-pence a week.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 417. Wheat was at seventy shillings the quarter.

1868.  Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. x. 484. Stories like these must be taken at what they are worth.

Mod.  To set at nought their counsel.

  28.  Of reference to a standard generally = according to.

c. 1430.  Syr Generides, 1409. At my witting … I trespassed neuer.

1483.  Caxton, G. de la Tour, K j b. Euery good woman ought to be meke and humble at the exemplary of the blessyd Vyrgyne Mary.

1855.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. 232. By land or by water at their choice.

  IV.  Of time, order, occasion, cause, object.

  29.  Introducing the time at which an event happens: a. with the time named.

a. 1230.  Ancr. R., 46. At al þe oþre tiden.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 1641. At set time he sulden samen.

1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 20. Atte grete day of Jugement.

1586.  Bright, Melanch., xviii. 111. From three at after noone till nine at night.

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., I. iii. 31. At the sixt houre of Morne, at Noone, at Midnight.

1697.  Dryden, Virg. Georg., III. 248. Late at Night, when Stars adorn the Skies.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 450, ¶ 7. All I have to say at present.

1758.  Johnson, Idler, No. 19. Mr. Whirler … will be at home exactly at two.

1853.  Thackeray, Eng. Hum., 91. Addison left off at a good moment.

  b.  with the time indicated by an event: At the time of, on the occasion of.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 707. Att te come off Sannt Johan.

a. 1230.  Ancr. R., 20. Et te one psalme ȝe schulen stonden … & et te oðer sitten.

c. 1400.  Sir Perc., 1531. Thay mone At thaire metyng.

1663.  Gerbier, Counsel, C viij b. At the return of the Army.

1673.  Ray, Journ. L. Countr., 2. A town … at our being there, but thinly inhabited.

c. 1720.  De Foe, Mem. Cavalier (1840), 209. Our men … gave them a shout at parting.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 172. At the Restoration Hyde became chief minister.

  30.  Introducing the age at which one is.

a. 1400.  Cov. Myst., 383. At fourten yer sche conseyved Criste.

c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus (2nd vers.), 13. At riper years, to Wittenberg he went.

a. 1626.  Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law, 31. If he were at full age.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 93, ¶ 2. The minor longs to be at age.

1844.  Disraeli, Coningsby, III. i. 89. He was Pope as Leo X. at thirty-seven.

  31.  Of nearness or distance in time, interval.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 1893. Att twenntiȝ daȝhess ende.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 1184. Theo knyghtis armed heom at ones.

1551.  Robinson, trans. More’s Utopia, 98. Vpon truste to be payed at a daye.

1673.  Ray, Journ. L. Countr., 39. We arrived at four hours end.

1716.  Lond. Gaz., No. 5472/4. A Note … at three Months after Date.

1840.  Dickens, Old C. Shop, viii. I must begin at once, I see that.

  32.  Of the number of times, turns or occasions.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 6608. He beoreth at ones … Ten men over theo flod.

c. 1532.  Ld. Berners, Huon, 409. And deliuerid them to one man by .ii. louys atones.

1666.  J. Smith, Old Age (ed. 2), 83. To do that at twice, and to be three or four times as long about it.

1668.  Hale, Pref. Rolle’s Abridgm., 3. May go far at one Essay to provide a fit law.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 155, ¶ 3. Being seen toying by two’s and three’s at a time.

1758.  J. S., Le Dran’s Observ. Surg. (1771), 124. Two Ounces of Manna … to be taken at three Doses.

Mod.  To complete the business at two sittings.

  33.  Of order: e.g., at first, at last, at length, at the conclusion, etc.

a. 1000.  Beowulf, 89. Þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon.

1297.  R. Glouc., 155. Atte laste þis Saxones by gonne forto fle.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 1668. Now at the erst, the messangers Buth y-come.

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. Fame, 2155. Atte last y saugh a man.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., I. ii. 71. She takes vpon her brauely at first dash.

1611.  Bible, Matt. xxvi. 60. At the last came two false witnesses.

1788.  T. Jefferson, Writ. (1859), II. 493. It is at length signed this day.

Mod.  At first, I thought otherwise. Home at last!

  34.  Introducing the occasion on which a fact or action ensues, and hence the occasioning circumstance, or cause.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4637. He starf at the furste tidyng.

1303.  R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 901. At hys cunsel … Halewede þey al þat yche ȝere.

c. 1430.  Freemasonry, 23. At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry.

c. 1532.  Ld. Berners, Huon, 455. He was ioyfull, and blyssyd hym at the vertue of that stone.

1574.  trans. Marlorats Apocalips, 33. They bee caryed aboute like babes at euery blast of doctrine.

1600.  Fairfax, Tasso, I. xxix. 3. At my request this war was undertake.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 124, ¶ 4. It is at his Instance that I shall continue my rural speculations.

1795.  Southey, Joan of Arc, VI. 50. At their voice He drew the strong bolts back.

1812.  Keats, Lamia, 627. Do not all charms fly at the more touch of cold philosophy?

  35.  Introducing the occasion or cause of an emotion: e.g., astonished, dismayed, delighted, grieved at; to rejoice, mourn at; joy, surprise at, etc.

1366.  Maundev., xxviii. 287. Thei maken ioye and gladnesse at hire dyenge.

1596.  Spenser, F. Q., I. vi. 9. All stand amazed at so uncouth sight.

1611.  Shaks., Cymb., I. i. 15. Not a Courtier … hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing.

1655.  Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. § 5. IV. 264. Aggrieved at this Ecclesiasticall Power.

1671.  Milton, Samson, 1603. I sorrow’d at his captive state.

1727.  Pope, Dunc., I. 26. Mourn not, my Swift! at ought our Realm acquires.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 175. Terrified at the completeness of their own success.

1853.  Kane, Grinnell Exp., xlviii. 445. Impatient at the delays.

  36.  Introducing what is at once the exciting cause and the object of active emotions: e.g., envy, hate, wrath. Uniting the senses of 13 b and 35.

c. 1325.  Metr. Hom., 78. The fende at him had grete enuye.

c. 1430.  Syr Tryam., 885. At Tryamoure had he tene.

1535.  Coverdale, Zach. vii. 12. Wherfore the Lorde of hoostes was very wroth at them.

1607.  Shaks., Timon, III. iii. 13. I’me angry at him.

1704.  Pope, Lett. Wycherley, 26 Dec. Continued by envy at his success and fame.

1737.  Whiston, Josephus’ Wars, IV. v. § 4. They all had indignation at the judges.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, IV. 47. He brought it to me himself, and was angry at me.

  † 37.  Introducing the reason or consideration: in at reverence of = out of respect to. Obs.

1425.  Paston Lett., 5, I. 21. John, atte reverence of your right worthy persone, hathe cesed.

c. 1465.  Eng. Chron. (1856), 60. Othir thyngis … the whiche atte reverence of nature and of wommanhood shul not be reherced.

a. 1575.  Abp. Parker, Corr., 51. At the reverence of God, I pray you … help that I be not forgotten.

  V.  38. In many idiomatic phrases arising out of the preceding senses, which see separately treated, or under the word governed by at: e.g., at ALL, at any RATE, at STAKE, AT HOME, AT ONE, AT ONCE.

1557.  Ord. Hospitalls, F vj b. Children abrode at Nurse.

1589.  Puttenham, Eng. Poesie (Arb.), 287. To set vpon Darius at the sodaine.

a. 1622.  Wither, Brit. Remembr., 146. The World … Hath so intangled us at unaware.

1674.  Marvell, Reh. Transp., II. 234. Fain to sell them all at second-hand.

1681.  in Arb., Garner, I. 440. The King at unawares falls upon them.

a. 1718.  Penn, Tracts, Wks. 1726, I. 869. They [the Quakers] were at a word in Dealing.

1742.  Richardson, Pamela, IV. 312. I shall be glad to take you at your word.

a. 1782.  Bp. Newton, Wks., II. iii. 78. Cain taking him at an advantage … slew him.

1817.  Mar. Edgeworth, Love & Law, I. iv. Scotch!—not Irish native, at-all-at-all.

1859.  Masson, Milton, I. 703. At all events, Milton had seen … the greatest of living Dutchmen.

1877.  Goldw. Smith, in Contemp. Rev., Dec., 122. The aristocratic conspiracy, for such at bottom it was.

1883.  Manch. Guard., 22 Oct., 5/2. The questions at issue between the Hovas and the French.

  VI.  With the infinitive mood.

  † 39.  Introducing the infinitive of purpose (the original function also of to; cf. Fr. rien à faire, nothing to do, nothing at do, nothing ADO). Obs. exc. dial.

  Corresponding to ON. at (Da. at, Sw. att) in gefa at eta to give one at eat, i.e., to eat; but not, like it, used with the simple infinitive; the nearest approach to which was in the phrase ‘That is at say’ = Fr. c’est à dire.

1280[?].  Kemble’s Cod. Dipl., II. 186. Na man sal have at do.

c. 1314.  Guy Warw., 88. That he cum with the at ete.

c. 1325.  Metr. Hom., 46. Þat es at say, to mak the sin for sin.

c. 1330.  R. Brunne, Chron., 34. Was he not so hardy at stand to bataile.

c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 5234. Þus sal he com doun at sitte þare.

1440.  Lay-Folks Mass-Bk., C 278. Be redy at answere hym.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 181. We have othere thynges at do.

1470.  Harding, Chron., Pref. 1. Lordes sonnes bene sette … To scole at lerne. [Modern Westmorl. dial. A bit o’ summat at eat.]

  VII.  Before other prepositions or adverbs.

  † 40.  With prepositions. Obs. Cf. AFTER D 1.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Frankl. T., 492. At after soper fille they in tretee.

c. 1400[?].  MS. Rawlinson, C 258 (Halliw.). I trust to see you att-after Estur.

1594.  Shaks., Rich. III., IV. iii. 31. Come to me Tirrel soone, at [Ff. and] after Supper.

  † 41.  With adverbs. Obs. or dial.

c. 1440.  Morte Arth., 3181. To hafe pete of þe Pope, þat put was at-undere.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, VIII. viii. 35. Nor ȝit the Troiane power put at under.

a. 1641.  Strafford, in Southey’s Common-pl. Bk., II. (1849), 183. Casting them aside at after.

1675.  Brooks, Gold. Key, Wks. 1867, V. 33. It will keep grace at an under.

1863.  Atkinson, Whitby Gloss., s.v., Ploughing first, sowing at after.