Atn.
/ˌeɪˈtiː/, U.S. /ˌeɪˈti/ Chemistry.
The element astatine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > chemistry > elements and compounds > metals > specific elements > astatine > [noun]
alabamine1932
helvetium1940
anglo-helvetium1942
astatine1947
At1947
1947 D. R. Corson et al. in Nature 4 Jan. 24/1 We propose to call element 85 ‘astatine’... The corresponding chemical symbol proposed is ‘At’.
1984 N. N. Greenwood & A. Earnshaw Chem. of Elements xvii. 926 In all, some 24 isotopes from 196At to 219At have now been prepared by various routes but all are short-lived.
2009 Inorganica Chimica Acta 362 2654/1 One of its isotopes, 211At, is considered a promising candidate as a therapeutic agent in nuclear medicine.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
atprep.
/at/, /ət/, U.S. /æt/ 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 n., angry adj., apt n.1 It will be observed that when a verb is construed with at, the same construction usually obtains with the cognate noun and adjective, and when at is used with an adjective, it is generally used also with a derived noun; 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 adverb 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > belonging to or localized in a place [preposition]
ineOE
ofeOE
oneOE
atOE
from1399
the world > space > distance > nearness > near to [preposition]
nighOE
anentOE
atOE
yhendeOE
anewstc1275
nigh handa1300
neara1325
narc1325
againstc1384
nearhanda1400
towardc1400
towards?1447
nearhand?c1450
nearbyc1485
anear1532
anigh1583
under or in the shadow of1853
the world > space > place > position or situation > [preposition]
to925
atOE
OE Genesis 2428 Æt burhgeate beorn gemitton sylfne sittan.
1175 Lamb. Hom. 35 On snawe up et minne chinne.
1175 Lamb. Hom. 73 Et þe chirche dure, and..et þe fonstan.
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 781 He stod..att godess allterr.
c1300 K. Alis. 4175 He set at his owne table.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1367 At a welle wið-uten ðe tun.
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 6 Housbondes atte chirch dore I have had fyve.
a1400 Sir Perc. 489 Made he no lett at ȝate, dore ne wykett.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 1187 At vch brugge a ber~fray.
?a1560 L. Digges Geom. Pract.: Pantometria (1571) i. xix. sig. F v At C and D, the situation is all one, but at E, it somewhat differeth as you may beholde in this figure.
1660 tr. I. Barrow Euclide's Elements i. 9 At a point given A, to make a right line AG equall to a right line given BC.
1789 G. White Nat. Hist. Selborne 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.
b. Used with the cardinal points of the compass, as at the east(ward), to indicate parts of the country. U.S.
ΚΠ
1636 J. Winthrop Let. in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. (1863) 4th Ser. VI. 515 If Mr. Mayhew hath bought the provisions at the east.
1646 J. Winthrop 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.
1672 Roxbury Rec. 210 A great Eclipse of the Sun, which at the eastward was total.
1697 Essex Inst. Hist. Coll. XI. 76 In going over a reaver [= river] at ye Southward.
1721 Jrnls. Ho. Repr. Mass. 3 94 Mr. Secretary brought down..Letters from several of the Inhabitants at the Eastward.
1782 S. A. Let. 12 Feb. in Hist. Coll. Essex Inst. (1859) I. 13/2 My company being at the Sotherd, the money was drawn for them for 3 months.
1835 J. H. Ingraham South-West II. 213 The opinion, that their sons can be educated at the south by northern professors as well as at the north.
1851 N. Hawthorne House of Seven Gables xiii. 210 A still unsettled claim to a very large extent of territory at the eastward.
a1882 J. P. Quincy Figures of Past (1884) 343 Characteristic of slave-holders when upon their good behavior at the North.
c. Nautical. Indicating the quarter of the wind. U.S.
ΚΠ
1635 R. Mather Jrnl. (1850) 18 Afore noone the wind waxed strong at north.
1732 B. Franklin Poor Richard: Almanack 10 Clouds and winds at southwest.
1780 W. Heath Let. in Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc. (1905) 7th Ser. V. 93 The wind which now blows at east.
1848 J. F. Cooper Bee-hunter II. xiv. 203 The wind stood at the westward.
d. Used superfluously after where. U.S. and British dialect (see Eng. Dial. Dict.).
ΚΠ
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) At is often used superfluously in the South and West, as in the question ‘Where is he at?’
1899 A. Nicholas Idyl of Wabash (ed. 2) 34 Where does he live at?
1903 N.Y. Sun 8 Nov. 6 The business world wants rest. It wants to know where it is at.
1911 E. Ferber Dawn O'Hara xx. 294 This is where I get off at.
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. 8 She..disliked..not knowing where she was at.
2. With proper names of places: particularly used of towns (with many exceptions, such as London, New York, etc.), and that in which the speaker lives (if of any size); (also) of small islands.Cf. on the Isle of Wight, on Inchkeith, at St. Helena, at Malta, at the English Lakes, at the Cape. Formerly used more widely: at Ireland, at London.
ΚΠ
755 Anglo-Saxon Chron. His lic liþ æt Wintanceastre.
1258 Eng. Procl. Hen. III §7 Witnesse vs seluen æt Lundene, þane Eȝtetenþe day on þe Monþe of Octobre.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 3 He wonede at Ernleȝe.
c1300 K. Alis. 4423 The tole that was at Greece y-sought!
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. Rolls Ser. VII. 183 In þese dayes a famous clerk..was at Ireland.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 62 And foghten [hadde he] for oure feyth at Tramyssene.
1641 ‘Smectymnuus’ Vindic. Answer Hvmble Remonstr. xiii. 128 Iames at Hierusalem.
1675 T. Brooks Word in Season 211 in Paradice Opened He is in a far Countrey, he is at the Indies.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxvi. 151 Be not overthoughtful about what may happen at London.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. II. 120 The Parliament met at Edinburgh.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. Did he graduate at Oxford or Cambridge?
3. At a person (Latin apud):† a. In personal contact with; in the immediate presence or company of. Obsolete (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.† b. figurative. In sensory or perceptional contact with; before, in the sight of, in the eyes of, in the estimation of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > place > presence > in the presence of [preposition]
beforeeOE
toforec1000
aforyenlOE
atforec1175
againsta1225
atc1275
aforec1330
anenta1382
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 12621 We woren..at [c1300 Otho mid] Arðure þan kinge.
1366 Mandeville's Trav. v. 38 The soudan may lede..mo than 20000 men of armes..and thei ben alle weys at him.
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John i. 1 The word was at God... This was in the bigynnynge at God.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 613 And at syr Roger ȝende we wyll dwelle.
c1500 Merchant & Son in J. O. Halliwell Nugæ Poeticæ (1844) 28 Y schall be hastely at yow ageyn with the myght of Mary mylde!
ΚΠ
a1300 E.E. Psalter xxxviii. 13 Comelinge I am at þe..als al mi fadres be.
1388 J. Wyclif Psalms xxxviii. 13 Y am a comelyng at thee..as all my fadris.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 296 At God it is possible a riche man to entre into the kingdom of heuen.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 105 Religioun clene at God, & at þe Fader, is þis, to visite þe fadirles & modirles.
1493 Festyvall (1515) 93 b Forsothe thou hast founde grace at our lorde.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 42v At God of Heauen there is, forgiuenesse of our sinnes.
c. elliptical. In active or aggressive contact; applying to, soliciting, pestering, assailing. Cf. 17. Cf. also Sc. National Dict., at (sense 1).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > harassing [preposition]
at1612
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. iii. 21 Some of their Parents..will bee at mee..to helpe their reading of English.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 198 Mrs. Jewkes is mightily at me, to go with her.
1842 E. FitzGerald 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.
1899 E. Wharton Greater Inclination 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 ( 3a) is now partly represented by the elliptical construction with possessive case: At (a person's) house. French chez, German bei.
ΚΠ
1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes lvi. sig. C Whan I at the shoemakers shall shoes assaie.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. v. 19 Thou shalt finde me at the Gouernors. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 114. ⁋1 We had Yesterday at Sir Roger's a Set of Country Gentlemen who dined with him.
1885 N.E.D. at At 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.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 1923 Higelác Hreþling, þǽr æt hám wunað.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 56 At cherche kan God his uirtues sseawy.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xxx. 410 Som at ayll-howse I fande.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 65 Raynyd atte the yelde halle, &..condemnyd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) ii. vi. 25 Weele speake with thee at Sea. At land thou know'st How much we do o're-count thee. View more context for this quotation
1694 L. Echard tr. Plautus Amphitryon iv. iii, in tr. Plautus Comedies 50 My master Amphitryon's now at bed with Alcmena.
1754 Countess of Shaftesbury in Priv. Lett. Ld. Malmesbury I. 81 I was twice at Court before, the same week.
1758 Dodsley's Coll. Poems (1766) V. 210 At market oft for game I search, Oft at assemblies, oft at church.
1793 J. Smeaton Narr. Edystone Lighthouse (ed. 2) §316 The light may be seen at sea much stronger..than it can from a great elevation at land.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. iii, in Poems 113 No Sunday-Shower, Kept him at home.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. x. 142 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.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 617 Æt þǽre béorþege.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 27 Hwet wule mon et scrifte?
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 937 Þer wes muchel folc at þere wrastlinge.
c1300 K. Alis. 1096 Thou schalt at hire bridale beon.
1432–50 tr. Higden (1865) I. 193 The consuetude was in that tyme women to be at cownselles amonge the men.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. i. 102 When we were at Tunis at the marriage of your daughter. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋1 He fills the Chair at a Quarter Session with great abilities.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋2 He is at a Play.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxviii. 239 We 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’.
ΚΠ
OE Genesis 636 Hire æt heortan læg, æppel unsælga.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 303 Ȝe sitten..stanstille ed godesfet.
c1300 K. Alis. 2142 Siweth me at my taile.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 155 Byndez byhynde at his bak boþe two his handez.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 380 At the foote of the castell.
1613 S. Purchas Pilgrimage ii. xii. 147 At the Temple dore were two Lyons tyed at two chaynes.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 815 The Seale..hanging at the parchment by a silke string.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 3. ¶9 Liberty with Monarchy at her right Hand.
1712 E. Budgell Spectator No. 365. ¶14 I have nothing more at heart than the honour of my dear countrywomen.
1766 O. Goldsmith Vicar of Wakefield I. xii. 118 Yonder comes Moses, with..the box at his back.
1870 A. Trollope Phineas Finn 401 You have the ball at your feet.
1885 N.E.D. at At 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.
ΚΠ
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. iii. 1 Repent: the kyngdome of heuen is at honde [ Wyclif, neiȝe].
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. C2v We are all ready at an inch.
1658 tr. J. Ussher Ann. World 749 They fought with them at hand, and afar off.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 348 To save himself against a coward arm'd At one spears length. View more context for this quotation
1796 Ld. Nelson in Dispatches & Lett. (1845) II. 215 The Corsican privateers keep at such a distance..I wish two could be directed to be always at my elbow.
1824 J. Hogg Private Mem. Justified Sinner 76 They held Dame Reason rather at the staff's end.
1884 A. Forbes in Eng. Illustr. 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’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relation [preposition] > at or in a particular position
atOE
OE Cynewulf Crist II 539 Wæs seo treowlufu hat æt heortan, hreðer innan weoll, beorn breostsefa.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear vii. 196 A mans ouer lusty at legs. View more context for this quotation
1735 J. Thomson Greece: 2nd Pt. Liberty 121 Withered at the root.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxix. 172 I wish at my Heart, the Gentlemen..would pursue such Measures.
1825 C. Waterton Wanderings in S. Amer. iii. iii. 255 The sight of the snake had..turned him sick at stomach.
1849 T. B. 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > [preposition] > at which anything enters or issues
ata1000
a1000 Batt. Fin. (Gr.) 16 Eodon æt óðrum durum.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 5 He rad in et þan est gete.
c1220 Sawles Warde in Cott. Hom. 251 Snikeð in ant ut neddren..et muð ant et earen, ed ehnen ant ed neauele.
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 1449 And spak out ate windowe.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xlv. 67 The theef that cometh in atte back dore.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. vii. 29 Now my soule hath elbow roome, It would not out at windowes, nor at doores. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 32. ⁋2 Find an Hole for him to creep in at.
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1880) 118 He looked in at the dining-room window.
1885 N.E.D. at At 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. Obsolete or dialect (repl. by of, from) except in (b.) the expanded phrases at the mouth or at the hands of.b.1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey I. 132 I took it kindly at her hands.1855 T. B. 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.
ΚΠ
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xi. 29 Leorniað æt me.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxv. 28 Anymað ðæt pund æt hym.
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 33 Þu most biȝeten milce et þine drihtene.
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 3103 At the lady the ryng he hase.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2697 Mai he no leue at hire taken.
a1400 Chester Pl. 194 Receive my sonne nowe at me.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xii. 484 Thai ask mercy, bot nocht at ȝow.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) iii. ii. Argt. Quhou Eneas socht answer at Apollyne.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Judith x. 7 They axed no question at her, but let her go.
1618 M. Baret Hipponomie Pref. Nature [hath] giuen to the Ant, such prouidence, that Man is wished to learne at her.
1794 J. Hutton Diss. Philos. Light 38 For that purpose, we must inquire at nature.
1883 J. Sime Hist. All-Israel vii. 170 He was making a similar inquiry..at other maidens.
**** 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.’ Obsolete.† b. esp. Into the presence of, into personal contact with, near to; in to come at (Latin accēdere): to approach, come near, have to do with. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > reaching a point or place > at a point or place [preposition] > indicating attainment of position
atc1000
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxv. 43 Ge ne comon æt me.
c1400 Sege off Melayne 505 Thay wolde noghte come att Parische To thay had offerde to Seyne Denys.
1528 T. More Dialogue Heresyes iii, in Wks. 203/1 The vniuersitie, where he was..ere he came at you.
1531 W. Tyndale Expos. Fyrste Epist. St. Jhon (i) sig. Bv We wyll neuer come more at scole.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy vi. 2674 Hit plesit wele þe pepull at Parys to wende.
1602 W. Watson Decacordon Ten Quodlibeticall Questions 180 To come at the holy altar.
ΚΠ
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) 630 ‘I charge the..that thou come no more at her, beware that thou fallest not in amours with her.’
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Exod. xix. 15 No man come at his wife [ Wyclif, Neiȝe ye not to ȝoure wyues].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. iii. 32 He hath not slept to night, commanded None should come at him. View more context for this quotation
1678 R. L'Estrange Seneca's Life in Seneca's Morals Abstracted (1679) p. xli He would not let Piso come at him.
c. With idea of intervening space traversed: Even to, as far as; in to come (archaic), arrive, land at.
ΚΠ
c1300 K. Alis. 1428 The thridde day..He aryved at Cysile.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 7732 In fallyng, A thowsand yhere..Ar it come at the erth.
c1400 Sir Perc. 1819 Tille he come at a way By a wode ende.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Buriall f. xxiiii* When they come at [1559 to] the graue,..the priest shall saye.
1611 Bible (King James) Luke viii. 26 They arriued at the countrey of the Gadarenes. View more context for this quotation
1612 J. Brinsley Ludus Lit. vi. 61 When they come at the Passiue, let them doe the like.
1684 J. Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress 2nd Pt. ii. 183 Then they came at an Arbor, warme and promising much Refreshing. View more context for this quotation
1712 F. Tanner Plainest, Easiest, & Prettiest Method Short-hand 6 Without taking off the Pen 'till you come at a Vowel.
1870 W. S. Jevons Elem. Lessons 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.
ΚΠ
1531 W. Tyndale Answere Mores Dialoge f. lxxiiij Worldly tirantes, at whome no man maye come, saue a few flaterars [ etc.].
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋4 That great man has as many to break through to come at me, as I have to come at him.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 115. ⁋5 Food and Raiment are not to be come at, without the Toil of the Hands.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 131. ¶1 The Sport is the more agreeable where the Game is the harder to come at.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. xxx. 199 There was no coming at her here, under my Mother's Wing.
a1817 J. Austen Northanger Abbey (1818) I. viii. 116 My dear Isabella, how was it possible for me to get at you? View more context for this quotation
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. iii. 87 Stooping down to get at his ear.
***** Passing into: towards.
13.
a. 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > direction > in the direction of [preposition]
tilla800
towardsc888
toc890
towardc893
to-gainsc950
anenta1225
i-gainc1325
ata1400
gaina1400
tilwarda1400
gainwarda1542
a1400 Octouian 976 Swych twenty n'ere wortht a slo At me to fyght.
a1400 Sir Perc. 1701 His swerde drawes he, Strykes at Percevelle.
c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) v. 629 Be-gynne ye, and haue at yowe.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 ii. v. 198 Foure rogues in Buckrom let driue at me. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. ii. 137 Wouldst thou not spit at me. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII i. i. 142 We may out-runne..that which we run at . View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 27 To shoot at Foes; and sometimes Pullets.
1714 J. Addison Spectator No. 579. ¶7 The Dogs flew at him with so much Fury.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 231 A great blow was about to be aimed at the Protestant religion.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 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.
ΚΠ
c1400 Sir Isumb. 625 The qwene..at hym faste loghe.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. v. sig. E3v Hungry wolues continually did howle, At her abhorred face.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 144. ⁋2 That Patience of being stared at.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. ix. 134 Ugly faces that were frowning over at her.
1854 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes I. xvii. 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. 3d.
ΚΠ
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 J. Addison Spectator No. 112. ¶6 The Parson is always preaching at the 'Squire.
1711 E. Budgell Spectator No. 116. ⁋2 I have before hinted at some of my Friend's Exploits.
1749 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 27 Sept. (1932) (modernized text) IV. 1406 He..thinks everything that is said meant at him.
1818 T. Moore Fudge Family in Paris vi. 61 This touch at our old friends, the Whigs.
1836–7 C. Dickens Sketches by Boz, Tales x. p.ii Mrs. Parsons talked to Miss Lillerton and at her better half.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters v. 133 The latter..always make her speak at her husband.
1863 A. Trollope 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. literal in to snatch, clutch, catch, reach, make, etc., at.
ΚΠ
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 i. ii. 11 Reach at it [sc. King Henries Crowne].
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. ii. 29 Briers and thornes, at their apparell, snatch. View more context for this quotation
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 159. ¶6 Catching at every thing that stood by them.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 450. ⁋1 All Men..make at the same common thing, Money.
1885 N.E.D. at At Prov. Drowning men catch at straws.
b. figurative To aim, aspire, endeavour, etc., at.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. vi. 30 Ayming at Siluia as a sweeter friend. View more context for this quotation
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 22 A thousand that can dress genteelly at a mistress.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋4 Crowds who endeavour at the same end with himself.
1777 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip II I. i. 13 That power at which he had aspired.
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility I. ix. 104 You will be setting your cap at him now, and never think of poor Brandon. View more context for this quotation
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. ii. 81 ‘Strangers are nothing to me,..’ said the young fellow catching at the word.
II. Of action, position, state, condition, manner.
15.
a. 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, at the wheel, at the plough, etc.; at bat: see bat n.2 3d.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 1110 Æt þæm áde wæs eþgesýne swátfáh syrce.
c1220 Hali Meid. 37 Seoð þe cat at the fliche and te hund at te huide.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 285 To be of bold word atte mete.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. vi. 104 And ben his pilgryme atte plow for pore mennes sake.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 283 Forto spende it at the wijn.
1611 Bible (King James) Jer. l. 11 As fat as the heifer at grass.
1773 S. Johnson in J. Boswell Life Johnson (1831) III. 91 He must be a great English lawyer, from having been so long at the bar.
1811 J. Austen Sense & Sensibility III. vi. 118 And idled away the mornings at billiards. View more context for this quotation
1880 J. A. Froude Bunyan 4 His father brought him up at his own trade.
b. Sometimes with the idea of instrumentality.
ΚΠ
c1375 Eng. Wycliffite Serm. xxxvi, in Sel. Wks. (1869) I. 97 We may see þis at eye.
c1440 Morte Arth. 449 Thowe moste spede at the spurs.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 24/1 No man demanded of that they sawe atte eye.
?a1562 G. Cavendish Life Wolsey (1959) 34 Thou shall espie at thyn eye the wonderfull workes of god.
1763 C. Johnstone Reverie (new ed.) I. 212 He foils the Devil at his own weapons.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. To contest it at sword's point.
c. Hence in designations, as barrister-at-law, serjeant-at-arms, etc. Also assault-at-arms.
ΚΠ
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 89. ¶1 He is a Serjeant at Law.
1761 D. 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.
d. By (auction or sale; retail or wholesale). Originally U.S. Cf. auction n. 2.
ΚΠ
1726 Boston News-let. 3 Mar. Valuable books, many more than a thousand, to be sold at auction.
1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan I. 12 The education, which they had been laying in, at wholesale, during the summer season.
1860 J. L. Motley Hist. United Netherlands I. i. 14 His carpets..were disposed of at auction.
1900 W. F. Drannan Thirty-one Years on Plains 476 As soon as we arrived at San Francisco we commenced selling our horses at private sale.
1932 T. J. Grayson Leaders & Periods Amer. Finance 135 They got the land at $2 an acre and immediately offered it at auction.
1967 Philip Wilson (title) Art at Auction. The Year at Sotheby's and Parke-Bernet, 1966–67.
16.
a. With actions in or with which one is engaged: as at dinner, at work, at play.
ΚΠ
1440 Sir Eglamour 230 At my jurney wolle Y bee.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. i. 41 As she sits at supper. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) v. i. 188 This Maid, with whom thou was't at play. View more context for this quotation
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 415. ¶6 This..has set Men at work on Temples.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. i, in Poems 57 I trace the matron at her lov'd employ.
1821 Ld. Byron Sardanapalus iii. i. 105 Myrrha! what, at whispers With my stern brother?
1872 Daily News 1 Aug. The case..is still at hearing.
b. at it: hard at work, fighting, etc.; busy.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > occupied or busy [phrase]
at work?1440
at it1609
in (full) play1669
on the run1795
on the trot1822
on the hop1863
on the job1882
for (or on) the (high) jump1884
as busy as a nailer1899
society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [phrase]
at it1609
at cuffsa1616
1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida v. iii. 98 They are at it [sc. fighting] harke. View more context for this quotation
1666 S. Pepys Diary 4 Mar. (1972) VII. 65 I was at it till past 2 a-clock on Monday morning.
1884 Times 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. 3c.)
ΚΠ
a1300 E.E. Psalter cxxxix. 6 I might noght at it.
c1300 K. Alis. 660 To play at bal.
?1518 Cocke Lorelles Bote sig. C.ijv Than euery man pulled at his ore.
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 575 An Apparitour rapping at their doore.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 327 When he playes at Tables. View more context for this quotation
1884 Times 30 Jan. 9/5 She saw him working at the Memoirs.
1884 Longman's Mag. Feb. 445 The secret anxiety that was gnawing at her heart.
1885 N.E.D. at At 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.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 953 Hordweorþunge hnáhran rince, sæmran æt sæcce.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. i. 20 My Father Is hard at study. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 3 Mighty he was at both of these.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 2. ⁋4 Very aukward at putting their Talents within Observation.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 320 In agility and skill at his weapons he had few equals.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. Diligent at his lessons; readiness at replying.
19. Of posture, position: e.g. at gaze, at bay, at right angles.
ΚΠ
1535 W. Stewart tr. H. Boethius Bk. Cron. Scotl. (1858) II. 608 Thair tha stude rycht lang at thair defence.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. H4v The poore frighted Deare that stands at gaze. View more context for this quotation
a1672 P. Sterry Appearance of God to Man in Gospel (1710) 319 He lieth at wait to catch your Hearts.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. v. 106 In some of the vessels at anchor.
a1843 R. Southey Wks. (1858) 174/1 Here, ere they reach'd their ships, they turn'd at bay.
1869 J. Phillips Vesuvius 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.
ΚΠ
c1300 K. Alis. 3108 Than mowe ye beon at ese.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xix. 77 To se at myscheiff sic a knycht.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. i. 134 While keihts and bussards prey at liberty.
1634 Malory's Arthur (1816) II. 398 Sir Launcelot..found them all at a great array.
1649 W. Blith Eng. Improver xxiii. 145 No man..would either be at want of Firing, or Timber.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 598 I shall shortly be with them at rest. View more context for this quotation
1707 London Gaz. No. 4343/4 You have not..left them at Uncertainty.
1709 A. Pope Corr. 11 July (1956) I. 66 I..was utterly at a loss how to address myself.
1710 R. Steele Tatler No. 264. ⁋8 At liberty to talk.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 122. ¶2 One..who is..at Peace within himself.
1882 Athenæum 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > correlation > [preposition] > between, at, or among
amongOE
atc1305
amongsta1350
atween1579
c1305 St. Dunstan 143 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 39 Þis tuei bischopes and seint Dunstan were al at one rede.
c1325 Cœur de L. 1369 We ben at on acord.
1493 Festyvall (1515) 35 b An other Knyght and this man fell at debate.
1539 C. Tunstall Serm. Palme Sondaye (1823) 36 Howe the apostels fell at contention amonge them selfes.
1559 Certayne Serm. (new ed.) xviii, in J. Griffiths Two Bks. Homilies (1859) ii. 504 When they be at hate betwixt themselves?
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets xlvi. sig. D2v Mine eye and heart are at a mortall warre. View more context for this quotation
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1585 What cause Brought him so soon at variance with himself. View more context for this quotation
1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists ii. 65 Truth and lies always at battle.
1868 J. E. T. Rogers Man. Polit. Econ. vi. 58 They have been at cross purposes when they should have been at one.
22. Of mode, manner, measure, extent, etc.
ΚΠ
c1280 Fall & Passion 85 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 15 Hi [the Jews] seid at one mouþe · þat he wolde destru temple.
c1325 Cœur de L. 571 I spak to hym at wurdes fewe.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1894 Terry him ansuerede þan at schorte wordes & rounde.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 40 Alle tho gouernauncis..ben groundid at fulle..in the inward book ligging in mannis soule.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Mark in Paraphr. New Test. (1552) i. 119 Leused and sette at large.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Twelfth Night (1623) i. i. 26 Shall not behold her face at ample view. View more context for this quotation
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. viii. 29 Their accounts are not to be swallowed at large. View more context for this quotation
1682 J. Dryden Medall Epist. Whigs sig. A2 The Picture drawn at length.
1795 S. T. Coleridge Conciones ad Populum in Ess. (1850) I. 87 The people at large exercise no sovereignty.
1857 H. T. Buckle Hist. Civilisation Eng. I. 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, at a disadvantage, etc.
ΚΠ
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 3485 At al perils wil y go.
1712 J. Addison Spectator No. 553. ¶1 To be at the Charge of it himself.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones II. v. vi. 158 Pursue her at the Hazard of his Life. View more context for this quotation
1866 A. Crump Pract. Treat. Banking xi. 250 To supply its place at a loss.
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest 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, at his pleasure, at his mercy, at his desire, at his discretion, at his disposal, at his command, at his orders, at his call, at his nod, at his beck, etc. (Allied to 7, 8; cf. at his elbow, at his call, at his beck, at his will.)
ΚΠ
1250 Laȝamon Brut 9411 Weder him stod at wille [1205 an wille].
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3546 Broþer, atty will all sal be.
a1500 (?c1450) Merlin 401 ‘Sir..I will it be at youre volunte.’
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) 457 To make your marchaundise at your pleasure.
1652 M. Nedham tr. J. Selden Of Dominion of Sea 425 To remain at his judgement and award.
1825 T. Jefferson Autobiogr. in Wks. (1859) I. 3 The King's Council..held their places at will.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 252 Their votes were at his disposal.
III. Of relative position in a series or scale, degree, rate, value.
25.
a. Defining special point in a series at which one begins, stops, ends, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > [preposition] > defining a point in a series
atc1300
on1925
c1300 Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 18 First at prude I wol be-gin.
c1300 Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 20 Be-ginne at his heued.
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 42 At a knyght thanne wol I first bigynne.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Ezek. ix. 6 Then they begane at the elders, which were in the Temple.
1536 R. Beerley Let. in W. B. Scoones Four Cent. Eng. Lett. (1880) 35 Sume..begenynge at the mydes, and sume when yt ys allmost done.
1873 A. W. Williamson Chem. for Students (ed. 3) 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.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. With the thermometer standing at ninety in the shade.
b. esp. with superlatives.
ΚΠ
c1325 Cœur de L. 132 The wynd..servede hem atte the beste.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 99 To be at uttrist examyned.
c1460 Three 15th C. Chron. (1880) 59 She..put him dyverse tymes at the worste.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) iv. ii. 74 Trauaile you farre on, or are you at the farthest? View more context for this quotation
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay i. 7 He was rewarded by seeing Johnson at his very best.
c. elliptical (adv.phr.) = taken at best, at most, at least, etc.
ΚΠ
a1661 T. Fuller Life H. Smith in H. Smith Serm. (1675) sig. A4 Wholly concealed, or at the best uncertain.
1775 R. B. Sheridan in London Rev. Eng. & Foreign Lit. Feb. 141 At least double the length of any acting comedy.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto I cxvi. 61 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.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > degree or relative amount of a quality, action, etc. > at a degree or rate [preposition]
atc1175
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 4730 Þatt tu beo swinncfull att tin mahht.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 43 He halp our Kyng..at his myght.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. (1871) III. 289 Seynt Gregory and Seynt Austin fledden at al here power to be bischopis.
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Cock & Fox l. 506 in Poems (1981) 23 He wald do vs plesing, At his power.
1710 A. Pope Corr. 15 Apr. (1956) I. 84 If I am to go on at this rate.
1758 S. Johnson Idler 19 Aug. 153 Jack Whirler always dines at full speed.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. i. 47 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.
ΚΠ
c1325 Cœur de L. 362 He set his stroke at nought.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 174 A quarter whete was at twenty mark.
c1375 J. Wyclif Antecrist 132 Wiþ knyȝtes at robes and fees..to leden her bridelis.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. iii. 40 Thi felowship Set I not at a pyn.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iv. iii. 60 If my loue thou hold'st at ought. View more context for this quotation
1615 E. Sharpe Britaines Busse sig. B4 Addesses for Coopers worke 6. at ii. s.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 68 Twelve inches at six pence an inch.
1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1737 I. 49 A man might live in a garret at eighteen-pence a week.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 417 Wheat was at seventy shillings the quarter.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. x. 484 Stories like these must be taken at what they are worth.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. To set at nought their counsel.
28. Of reference to a standard generally = according to.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > conformity to or with a pattern, etc. > according to [preposition]
atc1430
secundum1563
cording1593
c1430 Syr Generides 1409 At my witting..I trespassed neuer.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) cviii. 145 (heading) Euery good woman ought to be meke and humble at theexemplary of the blessyd vyrgyne Mary.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. 232 By land or by water at their choice.
IV. Of time, order, occasion, cause, object.† 37. Introducing the reason or consideration: in at reverence of = out of respect to. Obsolete.
29. Introducing the time at which an event happens:
a. with the time named.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > succession or following in time > succeeding, following, or after [preposition] > at which an event occurs
thatOE
atc1230
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 28 Ed alle þe oþre tiden.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1641 At set time he sulden samen.
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 10v Atte grete day of Jugement.
1586 T. Bright Treat. Melancholie xviii. 114 From 3. at after noone till nine at night.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. iii. 32 At the sixt houre of Morne, at Noone, at Midnight. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 103 Late at Night, when Stars adorn the Skies. View more context for this quotation
1712 R. Steele Spectator No. 450. ⁋7 All I have to say at present.
1758 S. Johnson Idler 19 Aug. 153 Mr. Whirler..will be at home exactly at two.
1853 W. M. Thackeray Eng. Humourists ii. 91 Addison left off at a good moment.
b. with the time indicated by an event: At the time of, on the occasion of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > particular time > [preposition] > at
toc890
atc1175
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 707 Att te come off sannt iohan.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 20 Ed þet an salm ȝe schule stonden..& ed þoð sitten.
c1400 Sir Perc. 1531 Thay mone At thaire metyng.
1664 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders (new ed.) i. sig. c5v At the return of the Army.
1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 2 A town..at our being there, but thinly inhabited.
1720 D. Defoe Mem. Cavalier 221 Our Men..gave them a Shout at parting.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 172 At the Restoration Hyde became chief minister.
30. Introducing the age at which one is.
ΚΠ
a1400 Cov. Myst. 383 At fourten yer sche conseyved Criste.
a1593 C. Marlowe Tragicall Hist. Faustus (1616) sig. A2 At riper years, to Wittenberg he went.
1629 Vse of Law 37 in J. Doddridge Lawyers Light If he were at full age.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 93. ¶2 The Minor longs to be at Age.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. iii. i. 253 He was Pope as Leo X. at thirty-seven.
31. Of nearness or distance in time, interval.
ΚΠ
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 1893 Att twenntiȝ daȝhess ende.
c1300 K. Alis. 1184 Theo knyghtis armed heom at ones.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia sig. Kv Vpon truste to be paide at a daye.
1673 J. Ray Observ. Journey Low-countries 39 We arrived at four hours end.
1716 London Gaz. No. 5472/4 A Note..at three Months after Date.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. viii. 122 I must begin at once, I see that.
32. Of the number of times, turns, or occasions.
ΚΠ
c1300 K. Alis. 6608 He beoreth at ones..Ten men over theo flod.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) 409 And deliuerid them to one man by .ii. louys atones.
1666 J. Smith Γηροκομία Βασιλικὴ (ed. 2) 83 To do that at twice, and to be three or four times as long about it.
1668 M. Hale Pref. Rolle's Abridgm. 3 May go far at one Essay to provide a fit law.
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 155. ⁋3 Being seen toying by two's and three's at a time.
1739 J. Sparrow tr. H. F. Le Dran Observ. Surg. xxxiv. 121 Two Ounces of Manna..to be taken at three Doses.
1885 N.E.D. at At Mod. To complete the business at two sittings.
33. Of order: e.g. at first, at last, at length, at the conclusion, etc.
ΚΠ
OE Beowulf 45 Þe hine æt frumsceafte forð onsendon.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 155 Atte laste þis Saxones by gonne forto fle.
c1300 K. Alis. 1668 Now at the erst, the messangers Buth y-come.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame 2155 Atte last y saugh a man.
1611 Bible (King James) Matt. xxvi. 60 At the last came two false witnesses. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) i. iii. 50 She takes vpon her brauely at first dash. View more context for this quotation
1788 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 493 It is at length signed this day.
1885 N.E.D. at At 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.
ΚΠ
c1300 K. Alis. 4637 He starf at the furste tidyng.
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 901 At hys cunsel..Halewede þey al þat yche ȝere.
c1430 Freemasonry 23 At these lordys prayers they cownterfetyd gemetry.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) 455 He was ioyfull, and blyssyd hym at the vertue of that stone.
1574 A. Golding tr. A. Marlorat Catholike Expos. Reuelation 33 They bee caryed aboute like babes at euery blast of doctrine.
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne i. xxix. 7 At my request this war was vndertake.
1711 J. Addison Spectator No. 124. ¶4 It is at his Instance that I shall continue my rural Speculations.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc vi. 50 At their voice He drew the strong bolts back.
1820 J. Keats Lamia ii, in Lamia & Other Poems 41 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.
ΚΠ
1366 Mandeville's Trav. xxviii. 287 Thei maken ioye and gladnesse at hire dyenge.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. vi. sig. E8v All stand amazed at so vncouth sight.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Cymbeline (1623) i. i. 15 Not a Courtier..hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing. View more context for this quotation
1655 T. Fuller Church-hist. Brit. IV. ix. §5 264 Aggrieved at this Ecclesiasticall Power.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1603 I sorrow'd at his captive state. View more context for this quotation
1729 A. Pope Dunciad (new ed.) i. 3 Grieve not at ought our sister realms acquire.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 175 Terrified at the completeness of their own success.
1853 E. K. Kane U.S. Grinnell Exped. 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 13b and 35.
ΚΠ
c1325 Metr. Hom. 78 The fende at him had grete enuye.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 885 At Tryamowre had he tene.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Zach. vii. 12 Wherfore the Lorde of hoostes was very wroth at them.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Timon of Athens (1623) iii. iii. 13 I'me angry at him. View more context for this quotation
1704 A. Pope Corr. 26 Dec. (1956) I. 2 Continu'd by Envy at his success and fame.
1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Jewish War iv. v, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 861 They all had indignation at the judges.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. viii. 47 He brought it to me himself, and was angry at me.
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1425 W. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 5 John, atte reuerence of yowr right worthy persone, hath cesed.
c1465 Eng. Chron. (1856) 60 Othir thyngis..the whiche atte reverence of nature and of wommanhood shul not be reherced.
1558 Abp. M. Parker Let. Dec. in Corr. (1853) (modernized text) 51 At the reverence of God, I pray you..help that I be quite forgotten.
V. Phrasal uses.
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 n.1, at stake n.2, at-home n., at one adv., at once adv. at all: see all adj., pron., n., adv., and conj. Phrases 8; at that: see that pron.1, adj.1, adv., and n. Phrases 1g.
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1557 Ord. Hospitalls F vj b Children abrode at Nurse.
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie iii. xxiv. 235 To set vpon Darius at the sodaine.
1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer 146 The World..Hath so intangled us at unaware.
1674 A. Marvell Rehearsal Transpros'd ii. 234 Fain to sell them all at second~hand.
1681 R. Knox Hist. Relation Ceylon iv. xiii. 179 The King at unawares falls upon them.
a1718 W. Penn Tracts in Wks. (1726) I. 869 They [the Quakers] were at a word in Dealing.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela IV. l. 312 I shall be glad to take you at your Word.
a1782 T. Newton Wks. II. iii. 78 Cain taking him at an advantage..slew him.
1817 M. Edgeworth Love & Law i. iv, in Comic Dramas 45 Scotch!—not Irish native—at-all-at-all.
1859 D. Masson Life 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. French rien à faire, nothing to do, nothing at do, nothing ado n. and adj.2). Obsolete exc. dialect.Corresponding to Old Norse at (Danish at, Swedish 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’ = French c'est à dire.
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?1280 Kemble Cod. Dipl. II. 186 Na man sal have at do.
c1314 Guy Warw. 88 That he cum with the at ete.
c1325 Metr. Hom. 46 Þat es at say, to mak the sin for sin.
1330 R. Mannyng Chron. 34 Was he not so hardy at stand to bataile.
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 5234 Þus sal he com doun at sitte þare.
1440 Lay-Folks Mass-bk. (MS. C.) 278 Be redy at answere hym.
1470 J. Hardyng Chron. Pref. 1 Lordes sonnes bene sette..To scole at lerne.
a1500 (a1460) Towneley Plays (1994) I. xx. 239 We haue othere thyngys at do.
1885 N.E.D. at At Modern Westmorl. dial. A bit o' summat at eat.
VII. Before other prepositions or adverbs.† 41. With adverbs. Obsolete or dialect.
40. With prepositions. Cf. at after prep. Obsolete except in at about, at approximately.
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?c1400 MS. Rawlinson C 258 (Halliw.) I trust to see you att-after Estur.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 511 At after soper fille they in tretee.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III iv. iii. 31 Come to me Tirrel soone at [1623 and] after supper. View more context for this quotation
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain I. ii. 26 At about seven o'clock in the evening we reached Aldea Gallega.
a1882 A. Trollope Autobiogr. (1883) I. ix. 214 I have been paid at about that rate.
1915 V. Woolf Voy. Out iii. 37 At about that hour he reappeared.
1929 D. H. Lawrence Paintings sig. B1 At about the time of our Elizabethans.
1945 E. Waugh Brideshead Revisited ii. v. 272 My divorce case..was due to be heard at about the same time.
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c1440 Morte Arth. 3181 To hafe pete of þe Pope, þat put was at-undere.
a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil Æneid (1959) viii. viii. 35 Nor ȝit the Troiane power put at vnder.
1637 Earl of Strafford Let. 18 Oct. (1739) II. 119 Casting them aside at after.
1675 T. Brooks Golden Key 29 It will keep Grace at an under.
1863 J. C. Atkinson Whitby Gloss. (at cited word) Ploughing first, sowing at after.
Draft additions January 2010
colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). to be (also go) at the —— (also with personal pronouns). Chiefly in the perfect, as to have been (also gone) at the ——.
a. To consume (food, alcohol, drugs, etc.), esp. compulsively and to conspicuous effect.Often used humorously to insinuate surreptitious behaviour.
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the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > [verb (transitive)]
brookc950
abiteOE
haveOE
afangOE
takec1175
notea1200
usec1300
spendc1380
consumec1400
partake1602
pree1680
discuss1751
tuck1784
to put down1795
to be (also go) at the ——1796
go1830
kill1833
to put away1839
down1852
to put over1880
to wrap (oneself) (a)round1880
shift1896
1796 M. G. Lewis Village Virtues ii. 33 Oh! dear! she has been at the brandy-bottle!
1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well II. i. 18 I think ye hae been at the wee cappie this morning.
1931 N.Y. Herald Tribune 14 July 16/4 Who has been at my porridge?
1970 T. Williams Let. 15 Jan. in Five O'Clock Angel (1991) 223 My gentleman friend from Georgia—the alcoholic—arrives today. He's a luv but he goes at the booze like it was half and hour before the return of Prohibition.
2006 G. Pretor-Pinney Cloudspotter's Guide i. 29 (caption) It doesn't look much like a field on a summer's morning, unless you have been at the jazz cigarettes.
b. To deal with (an activity or task) in an intense, persistent, or aggressive way; to set about (something) with energy and stamina; (also) to interfere or meddle with. Cf. sense 3c.
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the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > carry on vigorously [verb (transitive)] > apply oneself to vigorously
to stand to ——?a1400
to shove at1542
to fall upon ——1617
to work awaya1635
to fall aboard1642
to fall on ——1650
to go at ——1675
to pitch into ——1823
to lay into1880
to be (also go) at the ——1898
to sail in1936
the world > action or operation > doing > activity or occupation > acting in another's business or intervention > intervene between [verb (transitive)] > interfere in or meddle with
attame1430
intertrike1513
to dip one's fingers in (a matter)a1601
interfere1633
touch1647
to be (also go) at the ——1898
to screw with ——1973
to dick with ——1979
1898 Longman's Mag. Oct. 499 We have been at the task for nearly a week, sometimes with two and sometimes with three carts.
1920 H. Crane Let. 30 July (1965) 41 Also I have been at his letters which I bought riskily but wisely.
1938 P. Kavanagh Green Fool (1975) 169 The cat, Jamsie, was at the pot again. ‘Oh, ye tarlin' villain,’ George cried, and he flung a piece of coal at the cat.
1970 P. O'Brian Master & Commander (new ed.) vii. 215 They have been at my asp.
1991 R. Doyle Van (1992) 177 He'd been going at the floor with sudsy water and a nailbrush for the last half hour and the floor still looked the wrong colour.
2005 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 15 Sept. a19/4 She has gone at the formidable pile of branches in her yard with rakes and pitchforks.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
atconj.
frequently misread or misprinted for ac conj. but.
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1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. 256 At vpe Gode's wylle yt ys.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 132 At tel to me and thi felawes, Al thi tale.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
† at'atconj.pron.
/ət/ Obsolete exc. dialect.
A. conj.
a. = ‘that.’
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c1325 Metr. Hom. 73 Sainte Makary hard say, At thai wald come.
c1425 Seven Sag. (P.) 1909 I graunt wel at hit so be.
a1440 Sir Degrev. 1210 Loke at thou come at that tyme.
c1480 in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) Introd. 65 For so much as I, Thomas Lord Clifford and of Westmerland am enformed at a nisi prius is like to pas.
a1522 G. Douglas in tr. Virgil Æneid (1957) iv. Prol. 139 Willyng at thou and thai may haue the sycht Of hevynnys blyss.
a1652 R. Brome Queenes Exchange (1657) ii. i. 477 And at we find you we'l our selves bestir.
a1885 North dial. I sed 'at I wad, and I did.]
b. Formerly blended with ne into atten, attyn, ‘that not, but that.’ (= Latin quin.)
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a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 6130 Was na hous..attyn þer was dedemon in liggande.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 1440 Ne muȝt ham help na hali-hede. attyn to hel þai most nede.
B. pron. (relative).
That; who, which; what.
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a1300 E.E. Psalter xxx. 16 Outtake me..at ere filyhand me fra þa.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 417 Þo freris were served of þat at þei craven.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 3248 Al atte [Vesp., Gött., Trin. Cambr. þat] camels x. muȝt bere.
1429 R. Neville Let. 3 June in J. Raine Wills & Inventories N. Counties Eng. (1835) I. 69 (note) Grete costages & exp'nces at I haue hadd now of late.
c1480 Ld. Clifford in T. Stapleton Plumpton Corr. (1839) Introd. 65 All other Christen men att this writing sall here or see.
c1500 Debate Carpenter's Tools in Rev. Eng. Stud. (1987) 38 457 That at I sey it schall be sure.
1879 G. MacDonald Sir Gibbie II. xvii. 290 ‘To onything 'at's richt, Gibbie wants nae perswaudin'.’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
> see also
also refers to : at-prefix1
also refers to : at-prefix2
also refers to : at-prefix3
also refers to : -atsuffix
> as lemmas
AT
AT n. Medicine ataxia telangiectasia.
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1966 Lancet 26 Nov. 1193 The association between A.T. and malignancy, particularly lymphoreticular malignancy, appears firmly established.
2009 Daily Record (Glasgow) (Nexis) 6 Apr. AT, which is also known as Boder-Sedgwick syndrome, is so rare that it only affects three in one million people worldwide.
<
n.1947
prep.755conj.1297
conj.pron.1297see also
as lemmas
- hive-bee
- hive-bound
- hive-cot
- hive-dross
- hive-evil
- hive-honey
- hive-moth
- hive-nest
- hickory jack
- hickory milk
- hickory nut
- hickory nut tree
- hickory oil
- hickory pine
- hickory shad
- hickory shirt
- hickory stick
- hickory switch
- hickory tea
- hickory tree
- hickory wood
- hickory-smoked
- hickorysmoked
- hicks
- hickscorner