| 释义 |
▪ I. at, prep.|æt, ət|
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- prefix1, 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.’
c1175Lamb. Hom. 167 Deð is attere dure. c1175Cott. Hom. 231 Me sceold ánon eter gat ȝemete. c1225Hali Meid. 7 Heuene atten ende. c1250Moral Ode in E.E.P. (1862) 26 Ded is ate dure. a1300Cursor M. 5694 And attam con þair fader frain. c1386Chaucer 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 n. and adj., and when at is used with an adjective, it is generally used also with a derived n.; thus to envy, envy, envious at, apt, aptness at, etc. The arrangement of the senses here adopted is:—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. a. 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.
a1000Cædmon's Gen. (Gr.) 2426 æt burhᵹeate sittan. 1175Lamb. Hom. 35 On snawe up et minne chinne. Ibid. 73 Et þe chirche dure, and..et þe fonstan. c1200Ormin 781 He stod..att Godess allterr. c1250Gen. & Ex. 1366 At a welle wiðuten ðe tun. c1300K. Alis. 4175 He set at his owne table. c1325E.E. Allit. P. B. 1187 At vch brugge a ber⁓fray. c1386Chaucer Wife's Prol. 6 Housbondes atte chirch dore I have had fyve. a1400Sir Perc. 489 Made he no lett at ȝate, dore ne wykett. 1571Digges 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. 1660Barrow Euclid i. ii, At a point given A, to make a right line AG equal to a right line given BC. 1787G. White Selborne vii. (1789) 21 To cut and deliver the materials at the spot. 1883Sc. Monthly Dec. 34/2 These streamers seem to converge at a point beyond the zenith.
b. Used with the cardinal points of the compass, as at the East(ward), to indicate parts of the country. U.S.
1636John Winthrop jr. Let. 7 Apr. in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. (1863) 4th Ser. VI. 515 If Mr. Mayhew hath bought the provisions at the east. 1646John Winthrop snr. Let. 19 Sept. in R. C. Winthrop Life & Lett. J. Winthrop (1867) II. xxiii. 357 Some hurt was done here..much fish and salt lost at eastward. 1692in Essex Inst. Hist. Coll. XLII. 142 Marke How that is now dead, who dyed at the Eastward. 1782S. A. Let. 12 Feb. Ibid. I. 13/2 My company being at the Sotherd, the money was drawn for them for 3 months. 1851Hawthorne Ho. Sev. Gables xiii. 210 A still unsettled claim to a very large extent of territory at the eastward. 1883J. Quincy Figures of Past (1884) 343 Characteristic of slave-holders when upon their good behavior at the North.
c. Naut. Indicating the quarter of the wind. U.S.
1635R. Mather Jrnl. (1850) 18 Afore noone the wind waxed strong at north. 1732Franklin Poor Rich. Alm. 1733 10 Clouds and winds at southwest. 1780W. Heath Let. 30 July in Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll. (1905) 7th Ser. V. 93 The wind which now blows at east. 1848J. F. Cooper Bee-hunter II. xiv. 203 The wind stood at the westward.
d. Used superfluously after where. U.S. and Brit. dial. (see E.D.D.).
1859Bartlett Dict. Amer. (ed. 2), At is often used superfluously in the South and West, as in the question ‘Where is he at?’ 1899A. Nicholas Idyl of Wabash 34 Where does he live at? 1903N.Y. Sun 8 Nov. 6 The business world wants rest. It wants to know where it is at. 1911E. Ferber Dawn O'Hara xx. 294 This is where I get off at. 1914G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. 8 She..disliked..not knowing where she was at.
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.
755O.E. Chron., His lic liþ æt Wintanceastre. 1205Lay. 5 He wonede at Ernleȝe. 1258Eng. Procl. Hen. III, §7 Witnesse vs seluen æt Lundene, þane Eȝtetenþe day on þe Monþe of Octobre. c1300K. Alis. 4423 The tole that was at Greece y-sought! c1386Chaucer Prol. 62 And foughten [hadde he] for oure faith at Tramassene. 1387Trevisa Higden Rolls Ser. VII. 183 In þese dayes a famous clerk..was at Ireland. 1641Vind. Smectymn. §13. 128 James at Hierusalem. 1675Brooks Gold. Key Wks. 1867 V. 589 He is in a far country, he is at the Indies. 1742Richardson Pamela III. 151 Be not overthoughtful about what may happen at London. 1849Macaulay 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.
1205Lay. 25290 We weoren..at Ardure þan kinge. 1366Mandeville v. 38 The soudan may lede..mo than 20000 men of armes..and thei ben alle weys at him. 1382Wyclif John i. 1 The word was at God..This was in the bigynnynge at God. c1430Syr Tryam. 613 And at sir Roger ȝende we wylle dwelle. c1500Merch. & Son in Halliwell Nugæ Poet. 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.
a1300E.E. Psalter xxxviii. 13 Comelinge I am at þe..als al mi fadres be. 1388Wyclif ibid., Y am a comelyng at thee..as all my fadris. c1400Apol. Loll. 105 Religioun clene at God, & at þe Fader, is þis, to visite þe fadirles & modirles. c1449Pecock Repr. 296 At God it is possible a riche man to entre into the kingdom of heven. 1493Festyvall (W. de W. 1515) 93 b, Forsothe thou hast founde grace at our lorde. 1580Tusser 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. Cf. also Sc. Nat. Dict., at (sense 1).
1612J. Brinsley Lud. Lit. iii. (1627) 21 Some of their parents..will bee at me..to helpe their reading of English. 1741Richardson Pamela I. 198 Mrs. Jewkes is mightily at me, to go with her. 1842FitzGerald Let. 31 Mar. (1889) I. 94 Alfred [Tennyson] is busy preparing a new volume for the press: full of doubts, troubles &c. The reviewers will doubtless be at him. 1899E. Wharton Greater Inclin. iv. §3. 111 All his people are at him, you see—oh, I know their little game! Trying to get him away from me.
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.
1562J. Heywood Prov. & Epigr. (1867) 110 Whan I at the shoemakers shall shoes assay. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. iv. 20 Thou shalt finde me at the Gouernors. 1711Steele 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 connexion 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.
a1000Beowulf 3851 Hiᵹelác Hreþling þǽr æt hám wunode. 1340Ayenb. 56 At cherche kan God his uirtues sseawy. c1460Towneley Myst. 310 Som at ayllehowse I fande. 1556Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 65 Raynyd atte the yelde halle, &..condemnyd. 1606Shakes. Ant. & Cl. ii. vi. 25 Weele speake with thee at Sea. At land, thou know'st How much we do o're-count thee. 1694Echard Plautus 50 My master Amphitryon's now at bed with Alcmena. 1754C'tess Shaftesbury in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury I. 81, I was twice at Court before, the same week. 1758Dodsley's Coll. Poems (1766) V. 210 At market oft for game I search, Oft at assemblies, oft at church. 1793Smeaton Edystone L. §316 The light may be seen at sea much stronger..than it can from a great elevation at land. 1835Crabbe Par. Reg. ii. 456 No Sunday-shower, Kept him at home. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop x, What the parson at chapel says. 1884Times 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.
a1000Beowulf 1239 æt þǽre béor-þeᵹe. c1175Lamb. Hom. 27 Hwet wule mon et scrifte? 1205Lay. 1871 Þer wes muchel folc at þere wrastlinge. c1300K. Alis. 1096 Thou schalt at hire bridale beon. 1432–50tr. Higden (1865) I. 193 The consuetude was in that tyme women to be at cownselles amonge the men. 1610Shakes. Temp. ii. i. 97 When we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter. 1711Steele Spect. No. 2 ⁋1 He fills the Chair at a Quarter Session with great abilities. Ibid. ⁋2 He is at a Play. 1848Thackeray 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.’
a1000Cædmon's Gen. (Gr.) 636 Hire æt heortan læᵹ æppel unsælᵹa. c1230Ancr. R. 414 Sitte ȝe..ston-stille ed Godes fet. c1300K. Alis. 2142 Siweth me at my taile. c1325E.E. Allit. P. B. 155 Byndez byhynde at his bak boþe two his handez. c1450Merlin xxii. 380 At the foote of the castell. 1613Purchas Pilgr. ii. xii. 177 At the Temple doore were two Lions tied at two chaines. 1631Weever Anc. Fun. Mon. 815 The Seale..hanging at the parchment by a silke string. 1711Addison Spect. No. 3 ⁋9 Liberty with Monarchy at her right hand. 1712Budgell Spect. No. 365 ⁋14, I have nothing more at heart than the honour of my dear countrywomen. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xii. (1857) 72 Yonder comes Moses, with..the box at his back. 1870Trollope Phineas 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.
1526Tindale Matt. iii. 1 Repent: the kyngdome of heuen is at honde [Wyclif, neiȝe]. 1594Greene Fr. Bacon Wks. 1831 I. 161 We are all ready at an inch. 1658Ussher Ann. 749 They fought with them at hand, and afar off. 1671Milton Samson 348 To save himself against a coward arm'd At one spear's length. 1796Nelson 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. c1817Hogg Tales & Sk. V. 49 They held Dame Reason at the staff's end. 1884A. 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.’
c1000Crist (Gr.) 539 Hát æt heortan. 1605Shakes. Lear ii. iv. 10 A man ouerlustie at legs. 1735Thomson Liberty ii. 121 Withered at the root. 1742Richardson Pamela III. 172, I wish at my Heart, the Gentlemen..would pursue such measures. 1825Waterton Wanderings iii. iii. 255 The sight of the snake had..turned him sick at stomach. 1849Macaulay 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.
a1000Batt. Fin. 16 (Gr.) Eodon æt óðrum durum. c1175Lamb. Hom. 5 He rad in et þan est ᵹete. c1220Sawles Warde in Cott. Hom. 251 Snikeð in ant ut neddren..et muð ant et earen, ed ehnen ant ed neauele. c1320Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1449 And spak out ate windowe. 1483Caxton G. de la Tour D vj b, The theef that cometh in atte back dore. 1595Shakes. John v. vii. 29 Now my soule hath elbow roome; It would not out at windowes, nor at doores. 1711Steele Spect. No. 32 ⁋2 Find an Hole for him to creep in at. 1848Thackeray 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.
c1000Ags. Gosp. Matt. xi. 29 Leorniað æt me. Ibid. xxv. 28 Anymað ðæt pund æt hym. c1175Lamb. Hom. 33 Þu most biȝeten milce et þine drihtene. c1250Gen. & Ex. 2697 Mai he no leue at hire taken. c1320Seuyn Sag. (W.) 3103 At the lady the ryng he hase. 1375Barbour Bruce xii. 484 Thai ask mercy, bot nocht at ȝou. a1400Chester Pl. 194 Receive my sonne nowe at me. 1513Douglas æneis iii. ii. Argt., How that Eneas socht ansueir at Apollyne. 1535Coverdale Judith x. 7 They axed no question at her, but let her go. 1618M. Baret Horsemanship i. Pref. 4 Nature [hath] given to the Ant, such prouidence, that Man is wished to learne at her. 1794J. Hutton Philos. Light, etc. 38 For that purpose, we must inquire at nature. 1883J. Sime Hist. All-Israel vii. 170 He was making a similar inquiry..at other maidens.
b.1768Sterne Sent. Journ. (1778) I. 132, I took it kindly at her hands. 1855Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 397 All that they had..suffered at the hands of the Tories. 1884Eng. Illust. 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.
c1000Ags. Gosp. Matt. xxv. 43 Ge ne comon æt me. c1400Destr. Troy vi. 2674 Hit plesit wele þe pepull at Parys to wende. c1400Sege off Melayne 505 Thay wolde noghte come att Parische To thay had offerde to Seyne Denys. 1528More 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. c1601W. Watson Decacord. 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.
c1532Ld. Berners Huon 630, ‘I charge the..that thou come no more at her, beware that thou fallest not in amours with her.’ 1535Coverdale Ex. xix. 15 No man come at his wife [Wyclif, Neiȝe ye not to ȝoure wyues]. 1611Shakes. Wint. T. ii. iii. 32 He hath not slept to night; commanded None should come at him. 1678R. Lestrange Seneca's Life, 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.
c1300K. Alis. 1428 The thridde day..He aryved at Cysile. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 7732 In fallyng, A thowsand yhere..Ar it come at the erth. c1400Sir Perc. 1819 Tille he come at a way By a wode ende. 1552Bk. Com. Prayer, Burial Off., When they come at [1559 to] the graue, the Priest shall say. 1611Bible Luke viii. 26 They arriued at the countrey of the Gadarenes. 1612J. Brinsley Lud. Lit. 61 When they come at the Passiue, let them doe the like. 1684Bunyan Pilgr. ii. 183 Then they came at an Arbor, warme and promising much Refreshing. 1712F. T. Meth. Shorthand 6 Without taking off the Pen 'till you come at a Vowel. 1870Jevons 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.
1530Tindale An Answer, etc. (1850) 120 Worldly tyrants, at whom no man may come, save a few flatterers, etc. 1711Steele Spect. No. 2 ⁋4 That great man has as many to break through to come at me, as I have to come at him. Ibid. No. 115 ⁋5 Food and Raiment are not to be come at, without the Toil of the Hands. 1711Addison Ibid. No. 131 ⁋1 The Sport is the more agreeable where the Game is the harder to come at. 1742Richardson Pamela III. 199 There was no coming at her here, under my Mother's Wing. c1815Jane Austen Northang. Abb. (1848) 40 ‘My dear Isabella, how was it possible for me to get at you?’ 1840Dickens 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.
a1400Octouian 976 Swych twenty n'ere wortht a slo At me to fyght. a1400Sir Perc. 1701 His swerde drawes he, Strykes at Percevelle. c1485Digby Myst. (1882) v. 629 Be-gynne ye, and haue at yowe. 1590Shakes. Com. Err. ii. ii. 136 Wouldst thou not spit at me. 1596― 1 Hen. IV, ii. iv. 217 Foure Rogues in Buckrom let driue at me. 1613― Hen. VIII, i. i. 142 We may out-runne..that which we run at. 1663Butler Hud. i. i. 356 To shoot at foes, and sometimes pullets. 1714Addison Spect. No. 579 ⁋7 The Dogs flew at him with so much fury. 1849Macaulay 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.
c1400Sir Isumb. 625 The qwene..at hym faste loghe. 1596Spenser F.Q. i. v. 30 Hungry Wolues continually did howle, At her abhorred face. 1711Steele Spect. No. 144 ⁋2 That Patience of being stared at. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop ix, Ugly faces that were frowning over at her. 1854Thackeray Newcomes xvii. I. 163 Look at the horseman in Cuyp's famous picture. [Cf. also 36.]
c. Of mental aim, allusion, hint, conjecture, etc. esp. with verbs of speaking, with implication of indirect attack. See also talk v. 3 d.
1656Artif. Beauty (1662) 4 Eyes over-curious to find fault at Art. 1682in Harl. Misc. (1793) 439 Secrets..which now we can only conjecture at. 1711Addison Spect. No. 112 ⁋6 The Parson is always preaching at the 'Squire. 1711Budgell Spect. No. 116 ⁋2, I have before hinted at some of my Friend's Exploits. 1749Chesterfield Lett. 194 II. 230 He..thinks every thing that is said meant at him. 1818Moore Fudge Fam. in Paris vi. 61 This touch at our old friends, the Whigs. 1863Cowden Clarke Shakes.-Char. v. 133 The latter..always make her speak at her husband. 1863Trollope Rachel Ray II. iv. 78 Had he been then present, she would have risen up and spoken at him, as she had never spoken before.
14. Of motion or action directed towards the attainment or acquisition of:
a. lit. in to snatch, clutch, catch, reach, make, etc. at.
1590Shakes. Mids. N. iii. ii. 29 Briars and thornes at their apparell snatch. 1593― 2 Hen. VI, i. ii. 11 Put forth thy hand, reach at the glorious Gold. 1711Addison Spect. No. 159 ⁋6 Catching at every thing that stood by them. 1711Steele Spect. No. 450 ⁋1 All Men..make at the same common thing, Money. Prov. Drowning men catch at straws.
b. fig. To aim, aspire, endeavour, etc. at.
1591Shakes. Two Gent. ii. vi. 30 Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend. 1711Steele Spect. No. 2 ⁋4 Crowds who endeavour at the same end with himself. 1709― Tatler No. 22 A thousand that can dress genteelly at a mistress. 1777Watson Philip II (1793) I. i. 19 That power at which he had aspired. 1811Jane Austen Sense & Sens. (1846) 38 You will be setting your cap at him now. 1840Dickens 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 which are the objects or centres 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, plough, etc.; at bat: see bat n.2 3 d.
a1000Beowulf 2224 æt þæm áde wæs eþ-ᵹesýne swát-fáh syrce. c1220Hali Meid. 37 Seoð þe cat at the fliche and te hund at te huide. 1297R. Glouc. 285 To be of bold word atte mete. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. vi. 104 And ben his pilgryme atte plow for pore mennes sake. c1449Pecock Repr. iii. ii. 283 To spend it at the wijn. 1611Bible Jer. l. 11 As fat as the heifer at grass. 1773Johnson in Boswell (1831) III. 91 He must be a great English lawyer, from having been so long at the bar. 1811Jane Austen Sense & Sens. (1846) 263 And idled away the mornings at billiards. 1880Froude Bunyan 4 His father brought him up at his own trade.
b. Sometimes with the idea of instrumentality.
c1375Wyclif Serm. xxxvi. Sel. Wks. 1869 I. 97 We may see þis at eye. c1440Morte Arth. 449 Thowe moste spede at the spurs. 1483Caxton Gold. Leg. 24/1 No man demanded of that they sawe atte eye. 1641Cavendish Wolsey (1825) I. 66 Thou shalt espy at thine eye the wonderful work of God. 1763C. 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.
1711Addison Spect. No. 89 ⁋1 He is a serjeant at law. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. (1826) II. xv. 377 Four thousand men at arms. 1884Daily News 6 Feb. 2/2 The Speaker, attended by the Serjeant-at-Arms and the Chaplain.
d. By (auction or sale; retail or wholesale). orig. U.S. Cf. auction n. 2.
1726Boston News-Let. 3 Mar., Valuable books, many more than a thousand, to be sold at auction. 1825Neal Bro. Jonathan I. 12 The education, which they had been laying in, at wholesale, during the summer season. 1860[see auction n. 2]. 1900Drannan On Plains & Mts. 476 As soon as we arrived at San Francisco we commenced selling our horses at private sale. 1932Grayson Leaders 135 They got the land at $2 an acre and immediately offered it at auction. 1967Philip Wilson (title) Art at Auction. The Year at Sotheby's and Parke-Bernet, 1966–67.
16. With actions in or with which one is engaged: as at dinner, at work, at play.
1440Sir Eglamour 230 At my jurney wolle Y bee. 1591Shakes. Two Gent. ii. i. 46 As she sits at supper. 1610― Temp. v. i. 185 This Maid, with whom thou was't at play. 1712Addison Spect. No. 415 ⁋6 This..has set men at work on Temples. 1821Byron Sardan. iii. i. 424 Myrrha! what, at whispers With my stern brother? 1835Crabbe Par. Reg. i. 575, I trace the matron at her loved employ. 1872Daily News 1 Aug., The case..is still at hearing.
b. at it: hard at work, fighting, etc.; busy.
1606Shakes. Tr. & Cr. v. iii. 95 They are at it [i.e. fighting], harke. 1666Pepys Diary 5 Mar., I was at it till past two o'clock on Monday morning. 1884Times 3 Mar. 5/2 After having the wound dressed he was at it again.
17. After many verbs expressing action: to work, toil, labour, play at (a thing or action); to pull, nibble, kick, tear, knock, drum at (a thing). (Cf. 3 c.)
a1300E.E. Psalter cxxxix. 6, I might noght at it. c1300K. Alis. 660 To play at bal. c1510Cocke Lorelles Bote 14 Than every man pulled at his ore. 1588Shakes. L.L.L. v. ii. 326 When he plaies at Tables. 1594T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. ii. 575 An Apparitour rapping at their doore. 1884Times 30 Jan. 9/5 She saw him working at the Memoirs. 1884Longm. 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.
a1000Beowulf 1910 Hord-weorþunge hnáhran rince sæm⁓ran æt sæcce. 1610Shakes. Temp. iii. i. 20 My Father Is hard at study. 1663Butler Hud. i. i. 25 Mighty he was at both of these. 1711Steele Spect. No. 2 ⁋4 Very aukward at putting their Talents within Observation. 1855Macaulay 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.
1535Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 608 Thair tha stude rycht lang at thair defence. 1593Shakes. Lucr. 1149 The poor frighted deer, that stands at gaze. c1680Sterry 2nd Posth. Vol. 319 He lieth at wait to catch your Hearts. a1843Southey Wks. (1858) 174/1 Here, ere they reach'd their ships, they turn'd at bay. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop v, In some of the vessels at anchor. 1869Phillips Vesuv. vii. 191 Section at right angles to the axis.
20. Of state, or condition of existence: e.g. at rest, at peace, at ease, at liberty, at a loss, etc.
c1300K. Alis. 3108 Than mowe ye beon at ese. 1375Barbour Bruce xix. 77 To se at myscheiff sic a knycht. 1634Malory's Arthur (1816) II. 398 Sir Launcelot..found them all at a great array. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, i. i. 133 Whiles Kites and Buzards play at liberty. 1649W. Blithe Eng. Improv. Impr. (1653) 115 No man..would be either at want of Firing, or Timber. 1671Milton Samson 598, I shall shortly be with them at rest. 1707Lond. Gaz. No. 4343/4 You have not..left them at Uncertainty. 1709Pope Let. H. Cromwell 17 July, I..was utterly at a loss how to address myself. 1710Steele Tatler No. 264 ⁋8 At liberty to talk. 1711Addison Spect. No. 122 ⁋2 One..who is..at Peace within himself. 1882Athenæum 1 July 24 [They] were sometimes at fault.
21. Of mutual relations: e.g. at war, at variance, at strife, at accord, at one, at daggers drawn.
c1305St. Dunstan 143 in E.E.P. (1862) 39 Þis tuei bischopes and seint Dunstan were al at one rede. c1325Cœur de L. 1369 We ben at on acord. 1493Festyvall (W. de W. 1515) 35 b, An other Knyght and this man fell at debate. 1539Tonstall Serm. Palme Sond. (1823) 36 Howe the apostels fell at contention amonge them selfes. 1559Homilies ii. xviii. 504 When they be at hate betwixt themselves? c1600Shakes. Sonn. xlvi, Mine eye and heart are at a mortal war. 1671Milton Samson 1585 What cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself. 1853Thackeray Eng. Hum. 65 Truth and lies always at battle. 1868Rogers Pol. Econ. vi. 58 They have been at cross purposes when they should have been at one.
22. Of mode, manner, measure, extent, etc.
c1280Fall & Passion 85 in E.E.P. (1862) 15 Hi [the Jews] seid at one mouþe · þat he wolde destru temple. c1325Cœur de L. 571, I spak to hym at wurdes fewe. c1380Sir Ferumb. 1894 Terry him ansuerede þan ? at schorte wordes & rounde. c1449Pecock Repr. i. viii. 40 Alle tho gouernauncis..ben groundid at fulle..in the inward book. 1548Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark i. (1552) 119 Leused and sette at large. 1601Shakes. Twel. N. i. i. 27 Shall not behold her face at ample view. 1646Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. i. viii. 29 Their accounts are not to be swallowed at large. 1682Dryden Medal Ep. Whigs, The Picture drawn at length. 1795Coleridge Conc. ad Pop. Ess. 1850 I. 87 The people at large exercise no sovereignty. 1857Buckle Civilis. vi. 298 The preceding specimens have not been taken at random.
23. Of conditioning circumstance: e.g. at peril, at risk, at hazard, at expense, at charge; at an advantage, disadvantage, etc.
c1380Sir Ferumb. 3485 At al perils wil y go. 1712Addison Spect. No. 553 ⁋1 To be at the charge of it himself. 1749Fielding Tom Jones v. vi. (1840) 57 Pursue her at the hazard of his life. 1866Crump Banking xi. 250 To supply its place at a loss. 1869Freeman 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.)
1250Lay. 9411 Weder him stod at wille [1205 an wille]. a1300Cursor M. 3546 Broþer, atty will all sal be. c1450Merlin xxii. 401 ‘Sir’..‘I will it be at youre volunte.’ c1532Ld. Berners Huon 457 To make your marchaundise at your pleasure. 1652Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 425 To remain at his judgement and award. 1825T. Jefferson Autobiog. Wks. 1859 I. 3 The King's Council..held their places at will. 1849Macaulay 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.
c1300E.E.P. (1862) 18 First at prude I wol be-gin. Ibid. 20 Be-ginne at his heued. c1386Chaucer Prol. 42 At a knight than wol I first begynne. 1535Coverdale Ezek. ix. 6 Then they begane at the elders, which were in the Temple. 1536R. Beerley in Four C. Eng. Lett. 35 Sume..begenynge at the mydes, and sume when yt ys allmost done. 1873Williamson 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.
c1325Cœur de L. 132 The wynd..servede hem atte the beste. c1449Pecock Repr. i. xvii. 99 To be at uttrist examyned. c1460Three 15th C. Chron. (1880) 59 She..put him dyverse tymes at the worste. 1596Shakes. Tam. Shr. iv. ii. 73 Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest? 1876Trevelyan Macaulay i. 7 He was rewarded by seeing Johnson at his very best.
c. ellipt. (advb. phr.) = taken at best, at most, at least, etc.
a1661Fuller Life H. Smith in Smith's Wks. 1866 I. 7 Wholly concealed or at the best uncertain. 1775Sheridan Rivals Pref. (1883) 78 At least double the length of any acting comedy. 1818Byron Juan i. cxvi, You..have been, At best, no better than a go-between. 1882Proctor in Knowledge No. 41. 178 Two, or at the outside, three miles.
26. Of rate or degree, at which a thing is done.
c1200Ormin 4730 Þatt þu beo swinncfull att tin mahht. 1330R. Brunne Chron. 43 He halp our Kyng..at his myght. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. (1871) III. 289 Seynt Gregory and Seynt Austin fledden at al here power to be bischopis. c1450Henryson Moral Fab. 19 Hee would doe vs pleasing, At his power. 1710Pope Let. Wycherley 15 Apr., If I am to go on at this rate. 1758Johnson Idler No. 19 Jack Whirler always dines at full speed. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop i, Carrying me along with it at a great pace. 1882Athenæum 24 June 793 She lived and worked at high pressure.
27. Of price or value.
c1325Cœur de L. 362 He set his stroke at nought. 1330R. Brunne Chron. 174 A quarter whete was at twenty mark. c1375Wyclif Antecrist 132 Wiþ knyȝtes at robes and fees..to leden her bridelis. c1460Towneley Myst. 29 Thi felowship set I not at a pyn. 1602Shakes. Ham. iv. iii. 60 If my loue thou holdst at ought. 1615E. S. Britain's Buss in Arber Eng. Garner III. 631 Addesses, for Cooper's work, 6 at two shillings. 1663Gerbier Counsel 68 Twelve inches at six pence an inch. 1791Boswell Johnson (1826) I. 67 A man might live in a garret at eighteen-pence a week. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 417 Wheat was at seventy shillings the quarter. 1868Freeman 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.
c1430Syr Generides 1409 At my witting..I trespassed neuer. 1483Caxton G. de la Tour K j b, Euery good woman ought to be meke and humble at the exemplary of the blessyd Vyrgyne Mary. 1855Macaulay 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.
c1230Ancr. R. 46 At al þe oþre tiden. c1250Gen. & Ex. 1641 At set time he sulden samen. 1477Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 20 Atte grete day of Jugement. 1586Bright Melanch. xviii. 111 From three at after noone till nine at night. 1611Shakes. Cymb. i. iii. 31 At the sixt houre of Morne, at Noone, at Midnight. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. iii. 248 Late at Night, when Stars adorn the Skies. 1712Steele Spect. No. 450 ⁋7 All I have to say at present. 1758Johnson Idler No. 19 Mr. Whirler..will be at home exactly at two. 1853Thackeray 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.
c1200Ormin 707 Att te come off Sannt Johan. c1230Ancr. R. 20 Et te one psalme ȝe schulen stonden..& et te oðer sitten. c1400Sir Perc. 1531 Thay mone At thaire metyng. 1663Gerbier Counsel C viij b, At the return of the Army. 1673Ray Journ. L. Countr. 2 A town..at our being there, but thinly inhabited. c1720De Foe Mem. Cavalier (1840) 209 Our men..gave them a shout at parting. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 172 At the Restoration Hyde became chief minister.
30. Introducing the age at which one is.
a1400Cov. Myst. 383 At fourten yer sche conseyved Criste. c1590Marlowe Faustus (2nd vers.) 13 At riper years, to Wittenberg he went. a1626Bacon Max. & Uses Com. Law 31 If he were at full age. 1711Addison Spect. No. 93 ⁋2 The minor longs to be at age. 1844Disraeli Coningsby iii. i. 89 He was Pope as Leo X. at thirty-seven.
31. Of nearness or distance in time, interval.
c1200Ormin 1893 Att twenntiȝ daȝhess ende. c1300K. Alis. 1184 Theo knyghtis armed heom at ones. 1551Robinson tr. More's Utopia 98 Vpon truste to be payed at a daye. 1673Ray Journ. L. Countr. 39 We arrived at four hours end. 1716Lond. Gaz. No. 5472/4 A Note..at three Months after Date. 1840Dickens Old C. Shop viii, I must begin at once, I see that.
32. Of the number of times, turns, or occasions.
c1300K. Alis. 6608 He beoreth at ones..Ten men over theo flod. c1532Ld. Berners Huon 409 And deliuerid them to one man by .ii. louys atones. 1666J. Smith Old Age (ed. 2) 83 To do that at twice, and to be three or four times as long about it. 1668Hale Pref. Rolle's Abridgm. 3 May go far at one Essay to provide a fit law. 1711Steele Spect. No. 155 ⁋3 Being seen toying by two's and three's at a time. 1758J. 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.
a1000Beowulf 89 Þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon. 1297R. Glouc. 155 Atte laste þis Saxones by gonne forto fle. c1300K. Alis. 1668 Now at the erst, the messangers Buth y-come. c1384Chaucer H. Fame 2155 Atte last y saugh a man. 1591Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, i. ii. 71 She takes vpon her brauely at first dash. 1611Bible Matt. xxvi. 60 At the last came two false witnesses. 1788T. 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.
c1300K. Alis. 4637 He starf at the furste tidyng. 1303R. Brunne Handl. Synne 901 At hys cunsel..Halewede þey al þat yche ȝere. c1430Freemasonry 23 At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry. c1532Ld. Berners Huon 455 He was ioyfull, and blyssyd hym at the vertue of that stone. 1574tr. Marlorats Apocalips 33 They bee caryed aboute like babes at euery blast of doctrine. 1600Fairfax Tasso i. xxix. 3 At my request this war was undertake. 1711Addison Spect. No. 124 ⁋4 It is at his Instance that I shall continue my rural speculations. 1795Southey Joan of Arc vi. 50 At their voice He drew the strong bolts back. 1812Keats Lamia 627 Do not all charms fly at the mere touch of cold philosophy?
35. Introducing the occasion or cause of an emotion: e.g. astonished at, dismayed at, delighted at, grieved at; to rejoice at, mourn at; joy at, surprise at, etc.
1366Mandeville xxviii. 287 Thei maken ioye and gladnesse at hire dyenge. 1596Spenser F.Q. i. vi. 9 All stand amazed at so uncouth sight. 1611Shakes. Cymb. i. i. 15 Not a Courtier..hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing. 1655Fuller Ch. Hist. ix. §5 IV. 264 Aggrieved at this Ecclesiasticall Power. 1671Milton Samson 1603, I sorrow'd at his captive state. 1727Pope Dunc. i. 26 Mourn not, my Swift! at ought our Realm acquires. 1849Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 175 Terrified at the completeness of their own success. 1853Kane 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.
c1325Metr. Hom. 78 The fende at him had grete enuye. c1430Syr Tryam. 885 At Tryamoure had he tene. 1535Coverdale Zach. vii. 12 Wherfore the Lorde of hoostes was very wroth at them. 1607Shakes. Timon iii. iii. 13 I'me angry at him. 1704Pope Let. Wycherley 26 Dec., Continued by envy at his success and fame. 1737Whiston Josephus' Wars iv. v. §4 They all had indignation at the judges. 1742Richardson 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.
1425Paston Lett. 5 I. 21 John, atte reverence of your right worthy persone, hathe cesed. c1465Eng. Chron. (1856) 60 Othir thyngis..the whiche atte reverence of nature and of wommanhood shul not be reherced. a1575Abp. 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 any rate, at stake, at home, at one, at once. at all: see all a. 9 b; at that: see that dem. pron. 5 c.
1557Ord. Hospitalls F vj b, Children abrode at Nurse. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie (Arb.) 287 To set vpon Darius at the sodaine. a1622Wither Brit. Remembr. 146 The World..Hath so intangled us at unaware. 1674Marvell Reh. Transp. ii. 234 Fain to sell them all at second⁓hand. 1681in Arber Eng. Garner I. 440 The King at unawares falls upon them. a1718Penn Tracts Wks. 1726 I. 869 They [the Quakers] were at a word in Dealing. 1742Richardson Pamela IV. 312, I shall be glad to take you at your word. a1782Bp. Newton Wks. II. iii. 78 Cain taking him at an advantage..slew him. 1817M. Edgeworth Love & Law i. iv, Scotch!—not Irish native, at-all-at-all. 1859Masson Milton I. 703 At all events, Milton had seen..the greatest of living Dutchmen. 1877Goldw. Smith in Contemp. Rev. Dec. 122 The aristocratic conspiracy, for such at bottom it was. 1883Manch. 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.
1280Kemble Cod. Dipl. II. 186 Na man sal have at do. c1314Guy Warw. 88 That he cum with the at ete. c1325Metr. Hom. 46 Þat es at say, to mak the sin for sin. 1330R. Brunne Chron. 34 Was he not so hardy at stand to bataile. 1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 5234 Þus sal he com doun at sitte þare. 1440Lay-Folks Mass-Bk. C 278 Be redy at answere hym. c1460Towneley Myst. 181 We have othere thynges at do. 1470Harding 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. Cf. after D 1. Obs. exc. in at about, at approximately.
c1386Chaucer Frankl. T. 492 At after soper fille they in tretee. c1400MS. Rawlinson C 258 (Halliw.), I trust to see you att-after Estur. 1594Shakes. Rich. III, iv. iii. 31 Come to me Tirrel soone, at [Ff. and] after Supper. 1843G. Borrow Bible in Sp. I. ii. 26 At about seven o'clock in the evening we reached Aldea Gallega. a1882Trollope Autobiogr. (1883) I. ix. 214, I have been paid at about that rate. 1915V. Woolf Voyage Out iii. 37 At about that hour he reappeared. 1929D. H. Lawrence Paintings sig. B1r, At about the time of our Elizabethans. 1945E. Waugh Bridesh. Rev. ii. v. 272 My divorce case..was due to be heard at about the same time.
†41. With adverbs. Obs. or dial.
c1440Morte Arth. 3181 To hafe pete of þe Pope, þat put was at-undere. 1513Douglas æneis viii. viii. 35 Nor ȝit the Troiane power put at under. a1641Strafford in Southey Common-pl. Bk. ii. (1849) 183 Casting them aside at after. 1675Brooks Gold. Key Wks. 1867 V. 33 It will keep grace at an under. 1863Atkinson Whitby Gloss. s.v., Ploughing first, sowing at after.
▪ II. † at, 'at, rel. pron., adv., conj. Obs. exc. dial.|ət|
[A worn-down form of that, perhaps from ON. at (used in precisely the same senses), perh. independently developed in the northern dialect, in which it was very common in 14–15th c.; rare, even in Scottish writers, after 1500; but still in regular use in northern dialect speech.]
A. adv. or conj. = ‘that.’
c1325Metr. Hom. 73 Sainte Makary hard say, At thai wald come. c1425Seven Sag. (P.) 1909, I graunt wel at hit so be. a1440Sir Degrev. 1210 Loke at thou come at that tyme. c1480Plumpton Corr. Introd. 65 For so much as I, Thomas Lord Clifford and of Westmerland am enformed at a nisi prius is like to pas. 1513Douglas æneis (1710) iv. Prol. 139 Willing at thou and thay may haue the sicht Of heuynnys blys. 1657Brome Queene's Exch. ii. i. 477 And at we find you we'l our selves bestir. [a1885North dial. I sed 'at I wad, and I did.]
b. Formerly blended with ne into atten, attyn, ‘that not, but that.’ (= L. quin.)
c1340Cursor M. 1440 (Fairf.), Ne muȝt ham help no halihede, attyn to hel þai most nede. Ibid. 6130 Was na hous..attyn þer was dede mon in liggande.
B. rel. pron. That; who, which; what.
a1300E.E. Psalter xxx. 16 Outtake me..at ere filyhand me fra þa. c1340Cursor M. 3248 (Fairf.), Al atte [other MSS. þat] camels ten muȝt bere. c1380Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 417 Þo freris were served of þat at þei craven. 1429Earl of Salisbury in Wills & Inv. N.C. 69 note, Grete costages and expences at I haue hadd now of late. c1480Ld. Clifford in Plumpton Corr. Introd. 65 All other Christen men att this writing sall here or see. c1500Carpenter's Tools in Halliwell Nugæ Poet. 15 That at I sey it shall be sure. 1879G. Macdonald Sir Gibbie II. xvii. 290 ‘To onything 'at's richt, Gibbie wants nae perswaudin'.’
▪ III. [at
freq. misread or misprinted for ac conj. but.
1297R. Glouc. 256 At vpe Gode's wylle yt ys. c1400Ywaine & Gaw. 132 At tel to me and thi felawes, Al thi tale. ]
▪ IV. at
obsolete form of ate, pa. tense of eat. |