Adjacent Words

On definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

ON, pre. [L. in; Gr. Hence they denote nearness, closeness or contiguity, and from meeting the Latin in and the English un have their power of negation or opposing.]
1. Being in contact with the surface or upper part of a thing and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, my book is on the table; the table stands on the floor; the house rests on its foundation; we lie on a bed, or stand on the earth.
2. Coming or falling to the surface of any thing; as, rain falls on the earth.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken.
Matthew 21.
3. Performing or acting by contact with the surface, upper part or outside of anything; as, to play on a harp, a violin, or a drum.
4. Noting addition; as heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss.
5. At or near. When we say, a vessel is on shore, we mean that she is aground; but when we say, a fleet on a ship is on the American coast, or an isle is situated on the coast of England, we mean only that it is near the coast. So we say, on each side stands an armed man, that is, at or near each side.
So we say, Philadelphia is situated on the Delaware; Middlebury is on the Otter Creek; Guilford stands on the Sound; that is, near the river or Sound, instead of on the bank, side or shore.
6. It denotes resting for support; as, to depend on, to rely on; hence, the ground of any thing; as, he will covenant on certain considerations or conditions; the considerations being the support of the covenant.
7. At or in the time of; as, on the sabbath we abstain from labor. We usually say, at the hour, on or in the day, in or on the week, month or year.
8. At the time of, with some reference to cause or motive. On public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform.
9. It is put before the object of some passion, with the sense of towards or for. Have pity or compassion on him.
10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. Hence, on thy life.
11. Denoting a pledge or engagement, or put before the thing pledged. He affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
12. Noting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling or resting on. On us be all the blame.
His blood be on us, and on our children. Matthew 27.
13. In consequence of, or immediately after. On the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
14. Noting part, distinction or opposition; as on one side and on the other. On our part, expect punctuality.
On the way, on the road, denote proceeding, traveling, journeying, or making progress.
On the alert, in a state of vigilance or activity.
On high, in an elevated place; sublimely.
On fire, in a state of burning or inflammation, and metaphorically, in a rage or passion.
On a sudden, suddenly.
On the wing, in flight; flying; metaphorically, departing.
On it, on't, is used for of it. I heard nothing on't. the gamester has a poor trade on't. [This use is now vulgar.]
Upon is used in the same sense with on, often with elegance, and frequently without necessity or advantage.
ON, adv.
1. Forward, in progression; as, move on; go on.
2. Forward, in succession. From father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on; write on.
4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "he is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady; he is irresolute.
5. Attached to the body; as, his clothes are not on.
To put on, to attach to the body, as clothes or arms.
On, when it expresses contact with the surface of a thing, is opposed to under, off, or within, and when it expresses contact with the side of a thing, is opposed to off.
On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or rather as a command to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as, cheerily on, courageous friends; that is, go on, move on.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

adj
1: in operation or operational; "left the oven on"; "the switch is in the on position" [ant: off]
2: (of events) planned or scheduled; "the picnic is on, rain or shine"; "we have nothing on for Friday night" [ant: cancelled, off] adv
1: with a forward motion; "we drove along admiring the view"; "the horse trotted along at a steady pace"; "the circus traveled on to the next city"; "move along"; "march on" [syn: along, on]
2: indicates continuity or persistence or concentration; "his spirit lives on"; "shall I read on?"
3: in a state required for something to function or be effective; "turn the lights on"; "get a load on"

Merriam Webster's

or Ont abbreviation Ontario

Merriam Webster's

I. preposition Etymology: Middle English an, on, preposition & adverb, from Old English; akin to Old High German ana on, Greek ana up, on Date: before 12th century 1. a. — used as a function word to indicate position in contact with and supported by the top surface of <the book is lying on the table> b. — used as a function word to indicate position in or in contact with an outer surface <the fly landed on the ceiling> <I have a cut on my finger> <paint on the wall> c. — used as a function word to indicate position in close proximity with <a village on the sea> <stay on your opponent> d. — used as a function word to indicate the location of something <on the left> <on the south side of the house> <on the farm> 2. a. — used as a function word to indicate a source of attachment or support <on a string> <stand on one foot> <hang it on a nail> b. — used as a function word to indicate a source of dependence <you can rely on me> <feeds on insects> <lives on a pension> c. — used as a function word to indicate means of conveyance <on the bus> d. — used as a function word to indicate presence in the possession of <had a knife on him> 3. — used as a function word to indicate a time frame during which something takes place <a parade on Sunday> or an instant, action, or occurrence when something begins or is done <on cue> <on arriving home, I found your letter> <news on the hour> <cash on delivery> 4. archaic of 5. a. — used as a function word to indicate manner of doing something; often used with the <on the sly> <keep everything on the up-and-up> b. — used as a function word to indicate means or agency <cut myself on a knife> <talk on the telephone> c. — used as a function word to indicate a medium of expression <on stage> <best show on television> 6. a. (1) — used as a function word to indicate active involvement in a condition or status <on the increase> <on the lookout> (2) regularly using or showing the effects of using <on drugs> b. — used as a function word to indicate involvement or participation <on tour> <on the team> <on duty> c. — used as a function word to indicate inclusion <put it on the agenda> d. — used as a function word to indicate position or status in proper relationship with a standard or objective <on schedule> 7. a. — used as a function word to indicate reason, ground, or basis (as for an action, opinion, or computation) <I have it on good authority> <on one condition> <the interest will be 10 cents on the dollar> b. — used as a function word to indicate the cause or source <profited on the sale of stock> c. — used as a function word to indicate the focus of obligation or responsibility <drinks are on the house> <put the blame on me> 8. a. — used as a function word to indicate the object of collision, opposition, or hostile action <bumped my head on a limb> <an attack on religion> <pulled a gun on me> b. — used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some disadvantage, handicap, or detriment <has three inches in height on me> <a 3-game lead on the second-place team> <the joke's on me> 9. a. — used as a function word to indicate destination or the focus of some action, movement, or directed effort <crept up on him> <feast your eyes on this> <working on my skiing> <made a payment on the loan> b. — used as a function word to indicate the focus of feelings, determination, or will <have pity on me> <keen on sports> <a curse on you> c. — used as a function word to indicate the object with respect to some misfortune or disadvantageous event <the crops died on them> d. — used as a function word to indicate the subject of study, discussion, or consideration <a book on insects> <reflect on that a moment> <agree on price> e. with respect to <go light on the salt> <short on cash> 10. — used as a function word to indicate reduplication or succession in a series <loss on loss> II. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. a. in or into a position of contact with an upper surface especially so as to be positioned for use or operation <put the plates on> b. in or into a position of being attached to or covering a surface; especially in or into the condition of being worn <put his new shoes on> 2. a. forward or at a more advanced point in space or time <went on home> <later on> b. in continuance or succession <rambled on> <and so on> 3. into operation or a position permitting operation <switched the light on> III. adjective Date: circa 1541 1. engaged in an activity or function (as a dramatic role) 2. a. (1) being in operation <the radio is on> (2) placed so as to permit operation <the switch is on> b. taking place or being broadcast <the game is on> 3. aware of something — usually used with to <my boss was on to me> 4. intended, planned <has nothing on for tonight> 5. British talking or harping incessantly — used with about 6. chiefly British regarded as possible or feasible — usually used in negative constructions 7. a. engaged in or as if in a performance <the comedian was always on> b. being at a high level of performance

Oxford Reference Dictionary

prep., adv., adj., & n. --prep. 1 (so as to be) supported by or attached to or covering or enclosing (sat on a chair; stuck on the wall; rings on her fingers; leaned on his elbow). 2 carried with; about the person of (have you a pen on you?). 3 (of time) exactly at; during; contemporaneously with (on 29 May; on the hour; on schedule; working on Tuesday). 4 immediately after or before (I saw them on my return). 5 as a result of (on further examination I found this). 6 (so as to be) having membership etc. of or residence at or in (she is on the board of directors; lives on the continent). 7 supported financially by (lives on £50 a week; lives on his wits). 8 close to; just by (a house on the sea; lives on the main road). 9 in the direction of; against. 10 so as to threaten; touching or striking (advanced on him; pulled a knife on me; a punch on the nose). 11 having as an axis or pivot (turned on his heels). 12 having as a basis or motive (works on a ratchet; arrested on suspicion). 13 having as a standard, confirmation, or guarantee (had it on good authority; did it on purpose; I promise on my word). 14 concerning or about (writes on frogs). 15 using or engaged with (is on the pill; here on business). 16 so as to affect (walked out on her). 17 at the expense of (the drinks are on me; the joke is on him). 18 added to (disaster on disaster; ten pence on a pint of beer). 19 in a specified manner or style (often foll. by the + adj. or noun: on the cheap; on the run). --adv. 1 (so as to be) covering or in contact with something, esp. of clothes (put your boots on). 2 in the appropriate direction; towards something (look on). 3 further forward; in an advanced position or state (time is getting on; it happened later on). 4 with continued movement or action (went plodding on; keeps on complaining). 5 in operation or activity (the light is on; the chase was on). 6 due to take place as planned (is the party still on?). 7 colloq. a (of a person) willing to participate or approve, or make a bet. b (of an idea, proposal, etc.) practicable or acceptable (that's just not on). 8 being shown or performed (a good film on tonight). 9 (of an actor) on stage. 10 (of an employee) on duty. 11 forward (head on). --adj. Cricket designating the part of the field on the striker's side and in front of the wicket. --n. Cricket the on side. Phrases and idioms: be on about refer to or discuss esp. tediously or persistently (what are they on about?). be on at colloq. nag or grumble at. be on to 1 realize the significance or intentions of. 2 get in touch with (esp. by telephone). on and off intermittently; now and then. on and on continually; at tedious length. on-line Computing (of equipment or a process) directly controlled by or connected to a central processor. on-off 1 (of a switch) having two positions, 'on' and 'off'. 2 = on and off. on-stage adj. & adv. on the stage; visible to the audience. on-street (with ref. to parking vehicles) at the side of a street. on time punctual, punctually. on to to a position or state on or in contact with (cf. ONTO). Etymology: OE on, an f. Gmc

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Now strike your saile, ye jolly mariners, For we be come unto a quiet rode [road]. --Spenser. On, or Upon, the road, traveling or passing over a road; coming or going; on the way. My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road. --Cowper. Road agent, a highwayman, especially on the stage routes of the unsettled western parts of the United States; -- a humorous euphemism. [Western U.S.] The highway robber -- road agent he is quaintly called. --The century. Road book, a quidebook in respect to roads and distances. Road metal, the broken, stone used in macadamizing roads. Road roller, a heavy roller, or combinations of rollers, for making earth, macadam, or concrete roads smooth and compact. -- often driven by steam. Road runner (Zo["o]l.), the chaparral cock. Road steamer, a locomotive engine adapted to running on common roads. To go on the road, to engage in the business of a commercial traveler. [Colloq.] To take the road, to begin or engage in traveling. To take to the road, to engage in robbery upon the highways. Syn: Way; highway; street; lane; pathway; route; passage; course. See Way.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

(b) To decline in condition; as, to run down in health. To run down a coast, to sail along it. To run for an office, to stand as a candidate for an office. To run in or into. (a) To enter; to step in. (b) To come in collision with. To run in trust, to run in debt; to get credit. [Obs.] To run in with. (a) To close; to comply; to agree with. [R.] --T. Baker. (b) (Naut.) To make toward; to near; to sail close to; as, to run in with the land. To run mad, To run mad after or on. See under Mad. To run on. (a) To be continued; as, their accounts had run on for a year or two without a settlement. (b) To talk incessantly. (c) To continue a course. (d) To press with jokes or ridicule; to abuse with sarcasm; to bear hard on. (e) (Print.) To be continued in the same lines, without making a break or beginning a new paragraph. To run out. (a) To come to an end; to expire; as, the lease runs out at Michaelmas. (b) To extend; to spread. ``Insectile animals . . . run all out into legs.'' --Hammond. (c) To expatiate; as, to run out into beautiful digressions. (d) To be wasted or exhausted; to become poor; to become extinct; as, an estate managed without economy will soon run out. And had her stock been less, no doubt She must have long ago run out. --Dryden. To run over. (a) To overflow; as, a cup runs over, or the liquor runs over. (b) To go over, examine, or rehearse cursorily. (c) To ride or drive over; as, to run over a child. To run riot, to go to excess. To run through. (a) To go through hastily; as to run through a book. (b) To spend wastefully; as, to run through an estate. To run to seed, to expend or exhaust vitality in producing seed, as a plant; figuratively and colloquially, to cease growing; to lose vital force, as the body or mind. To run up, to rise; to swell; to grow; to increase; as, accounts of goods credited run up very fast. But these, having been untrimmed for many years, had run up into great bushes, or rather dwarf trees. --Sir W. Scott. To run with. (a) To be drenched with, so that streams flow; as, the streets ran with blood. (b) To flow while charged with some foreign substance. ``Its rivers ran with gold.'' --J. H. Newman.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Rub Rub, v. i. 1. To move along the surface of a body with pressure; to grate; as, a wheel rubs against the gatepost. 2. To fret; to chafe; as, to rub upon a sore. 3. To move or pass with difficulty; as, to rub through woods, as huntsmen; to rub through the world. To rub along or on, to go on with difficulty; as, they manage, with strict economy, to rub along. [Colloq.]

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Screw Screw (skr[udd]), n. [OE. scrue, OF. escroue, escroe, female screw, F. ['e]crou, L. scrobis a ditch, trench, in LL., the hole made by swine in rooting; cf. D. schroef a screw, G. schraube, Icel. skr[=u]fa.] 1. A cylinder, or a cylindrical perforation, having a continuous rib, called the thread, winding round it spirally at a constant inclination, so as to leave a continuous spiral groove between one turn and the next, -- used chiefly for producing, when revolved, motion or pressure in the direction of its axis, by the sliding of the threads of the cylinder in the grooves between the threads of the perforation adapted to it, the former being distinguished as the external, or male screw, or, more usually the screw; the latter as the internal, or female screw, or, more usually, the nut. Note: The screw, as a mechanical power, is a modification of the inclined plane, and may be regarded as a right-angled triangle wrapped round a cylinder, the hypotenuse of the marking the spiral thread of the screw, its base equaling the circumference of the cylinder, and its height the pitch of the thread. 2. Specifically, a kind of nail with a spiral thread and a head with a nick to receive the end of the screw-driver. Screws are much used to hold together pieces of wood or to fasten something; -- called also wood screws, and screw nails. See also Screw bolt, below. 3. Anything shaped or acting like a screw; esp., a form of wheel for propelling steam vessels. It is placed at the stern, and furnished with blades having helicoidal surfaces to act against the water in the manner of a screw. See Screw propeller, below. 4. A steam vesel propelled by a screw instead of wheels; a screw steamer; a propeller. 5. An extortioner; a sharp bargainer; a skinflint; a niggard. --Thackeray. 6. An instructor who examines with great or unnecessary severity; also, a searching or strict examination of a student by an instructor. [Cant, American Colleges] 7. A small packet of tobacco. [Slang] --Mayhew. 8. An unsound or worn-out horse, useful as a hack, and commonly of good appearance. --Ld. Lytton. 9. (Math.) A straight line in space with which a definite linear magnitude termed the pitch is associated (cf. 5th Pitch, 10 (b) ). It is used to express the displacement of a rigid body, which may always be made to consist of a rotation about an axis combined with a translation parallel to that axis. 10. (Zo["o]l.) An amphipod crustacean; as, the skeleton screw (Caprella). See Sand screw, under Sand. Archimedes screw, Compound screw, Foot screw, etc. See under Archimedes, Compound, Foot, etc. A screw loose, something out of order, so that work is not done smoothly; as, there is a screw loose somewhere. --H. Martineau. Endless, or perpetual, {screw, a screw used to give motion to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a worm. Lag screw. See under Lag. Micrometer screw, a screw with fine threads, used for the measurement of very small spaces. Right and left screw, a screw having threads upon the opposite ends which wind in opposite directions. Screw alley. See Shaft alley, under Shaft. Screw bean. (Bot.) (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree ({Prosopis pubescens.html">screw.html">Endless, or perpetual, {screw, a screw used to give motion to a toothed wheel by the action of its threads between the teeth of the wheel; -- called also a worm. Lag screw. See under Lag. Micrometer screw, a screw with fine threads, used for the measurement of very small spaces. Right and left screw, a screw having threads upon the opposite ends which wind in opposite directions. Screw alley. See Shaft alley, under Shaft. Screw bean. (Bot.) (a) The curious spirally coiled pod of a leguminous tree ({Prosopis pubescens) growing from Texas to California. It is used for fodder, and ground into meal by the Indians. (b) The tree itself. Its heavy hard wood is used for fuel, for fencing, and for railroad ties. Screw bolt, a bolt having a screw thread on its shank, in distinction from a key bolt. See 1st Bolt, 3. Screw box, a device, resembling a die, for cutting the thread on a wooden screw. Screw dock. See under Dock. Screw engine, a marine engine for driving a screw propeller. Screw gear. See Spiral gear, under Spiral. Screw jack. Same as Jackscrew. Screw key, a wrench for turning a screw or nut; a spanner wrench. Screw machine. (a) One of a series of machines employed in the manufacture of wood screws. (b) A machine tool resembling a lathe, having a number of cutting tools that can be caused to act on the work successively, for making screws and other turned pieces from metal rods. Screw pine (Bot.), any plant of the endogenous genus Pandanus, of which there are about fifty species, natives of tropical lands from Africa to Polynesia; -- named from the spiral arrangement of the pineapple-like leaves. Screw plate, a device for cutting threads on small screws, consisting of a thin steel plate having a series of perforations with internal screws forming dies. Screw press, a press in which pressure is exerted by means of a screw. Screw propeller, a screw or spiral bladed wheel, used in the propulsion of steam vessels; also, a steam vessel propelled by a screw. Screw shell (Zo["o]l.), a long, slender, spiral gastropod shell, especially of the genus Turritella and allied genera. See Turritella. Screw steamer, a steamship propelled by a screw. Screw thread, the spiral rib which forms a screw. Screw stone (Paleon.), the fossil stem of an encrinite. Screw tree (Bot.), any plant of the genus Helicteres, consisting of about thirty species of tropical shrubs, with simple leaves and spirally twisted, five-celled capsules; -- also called twisted-horn, and twisty. Screw valve, a stop valve which is opened or closed by a screw. Screw worm (Zo["o]l.), the larva of an American fly (Compsomyia macellaria), allied to the blowflies, which sometimes deposits its eggs in the nostrils, or about wounds, in man and other animals, with fatal results. Screw wrench. (a) A wrench for turning a screw. (b) A wrench with an adjustable jaw that is moved by a screw. To put the screw, or screws, on, to use pressure upon, as for the purpose of extortion; to coerce. To put under the screw or screws, to subject to pressure; to force. Wood screw, a metal screw with a sharp thread of coarse pitch, adapted to holding fast in wood. See Illust. of Wood screw, under Wood.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

On On, prep. [OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. [=a], Sw. [*a], Goth. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. 'ana`, Zend ana. [root]195. Cf. A-, 1, Ana-, Anon.] The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath; as: 1. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island. I stood on the bridge at midnight. --Longfellow. 2. To or against the surface of; -- used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth. Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken. --Matt. xxi. 44. 3. Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind. 4. At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast. 5. In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought. --Shak. 6. Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse. 7. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At (synonym). 8. At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded. 9. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him. 10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. ``Hence, on thy life.'' --Dryden. 11. By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor. 12. To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him. His blood be on us and on our children. --Matt. xxvii. 25. 13. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society. 14. Of. [Obs.] ``Be not jealous on me.'' --Shak. Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner? --Shak. Note: Instances of this usage are common in our older writers, and are sometimes now heard in illiterate speech. 15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey. 16. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee. Note: On and upon are in general interchangeable. In some applications upon is more euphonious, and is therefore to be preferred; but in most cases on is preferable. On a bowline. (Naut.) Same as Closehauled. On a wind, or On the wind (Naut.), sailing closehauled. On a sudden. See under Sudden. On board, On draught, On fire, etc. See under Board, Draught, Fire, etc. On it, On't, of it. [Obs. or Colloq.] --Shak. On shore, on land; to the shore. On the road, On the way, On the wing, etc. See under Road, Way, etc. On to, upon; on; to; -- sometimes written as one word, onto, and usually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded in analogy with into. They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural. --Earle. We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage. --J. R. Green.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

On On, adv. [See On, prep.] 1. Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on. ``Time glides on.'' --Macaulay. The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger. --Shak. 2. Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on. 3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on. 4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, ``He is neither on nor off,'' that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute. 5. Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. ``I have boots on.'' --B. Gonson. He put on righteousness as a breastplate. --Is. lix. 17. 6. In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on. Note: On is sometimes used as an exclamation, or a command to move or proceed, some verb being understood; as, on, comrades; that is, go on, move on. On and on, continuously; for a long time together. ``Toiling on and on and on.'' --Longfellow.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Out Out, interj. Expressing impatience, anger, a desire to be rid of; -- with the force of command; go out; begone; away; off. Out, idle words, servants to shallow fools ! --Shak. Out upon or on! equivalent to ``shame upon!'' ``away with!'' as, out upon you!

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Spot Spot, n. [Cf. Scot. & D. spat, Dan. spette, Sw. spott spittle, slaver; from the root of E. spit. See Spit to eject from the mouth, and cf. Spatter.] 1. A mark on a substance or body made by foreign matter; a blot; a place discolored. Out, damned spot! Out, I say! --Shak. 2. A stain on character or reputation; something that soils purity; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish. Yet Chloe, sure, was formed without a spot. --Pope. 3. A small part of a different color from the main part, or from the ground upon which it is; as, the spots of a leopard; the spots on a playing card. 4. A small extent of space; a place; any particular place. ``Fixed to one spot.'' --Otway. That spot to which I point is Paradise. --Milton. ``A jolly place,'' said he, ``in times of old! But something ails it now: the spot is cursed.'' --Wordsworth. 5. (Zo["o]l.) A variety of the common domestic pigeon, so called from a spot on its head just above its beak. 6. (Zo["o]l.) (a) A sci[ae]noid food fish (Liostomus xanthurus) of the Atlantic coast of the United States. It has a black spot behind the shoulders and fifteen oblique dark bars on the sides. Called also goody, Lafayette, masooka, and old wife. (b) The southern redfish, or red horse, which has a spot on each side at the base of the tail. See Redfish. 7. pl. Commodities, as merchandise and cotton, sold for immediate delivery. [Broker's Cant] Crescent spot (Zo["o]l.), any butterfly of the family Melit[ae]id[ae] having crescent-shaped white spots along the margins of the red or brown wings. Spot lens (Microscopy), a condensing lens in which the light is confined to an annular pencil by means of a small, round diaphragm (the spot), and used in dark-field ilumination; -- called also spotted lens. Spot rump (Zo["o]l.), the Hudsonian godwit (Limosa h[ae]mastica). Spots on the sun. (Astron.) See Sun spot, ander Sun. On, or Upon, the spot, immediately; before moving; without changing place. It was determined upon the spot. --Swift. Syn: Stain; flaw; speck; blot; disgrace; reproach; fault; blemish; place; site; locality.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Square Square, n. [OF. esquarre, esquierre, F. ['e]querre a carpenter's square (cf. It. squadra), fr. (assumed) LL. exquadrare to make square; L. ex + quadrus a square, fr. quattuor four. See Four, and cf. Quadrant, Squad, Squer a square.] 1. (Geom.) (a) The corner, or angle, of a figure. [Obs.] (b) A parallelogram having four equal sides and four right angles. 2. Hence, anything which is square, or nearly so; as: (a) A square piece or fragment. He bolted his food down his capacious throat in squares of three inches. --Sir W. Scott. (b) A pane of glass. (c) (Print.) A certain number of lines, forming a portion of a column, nearly square; -- used chiefly in reckoning the prices of advertisements in newspapers. (d) (Carp.) One hundred superficial feet. 3. An area of four sides, generally with houses on each side; sometimes, a solid block of houses; also, an open place or area for public use, as at the meeting or intersection of two or more streets. The statue of Alexander VII. stands in the large square of the town. --Addison. 4. (Mech. & Joinery) An instrument having at least one right angle and two or more straight edges, used to lay out or test square work. It is of several forms, as the T square, the carpenter's square, the try-square., etc. 5. Hence, a pattern or rule. [Obs.] 6. (Arith. & Alg.) The product of a number or quantity multiplied by itself; thus, 64 is the square of 8, for 8 [times] 8 = 64; the square of a + b is a^2 + 2ab + b^2. 7. Exact proportion; justness of workmanship and conduct; regularity; rule. [Obs.] They of Galatia [were] much more out of square. --Hooker. I have not kept my square. --Shak. 8. (Mil.) A body of troops formed in a square, esp. one formed to resist a charge of cavalry; a squadron. ``The brave squares of war.'' --Shak. 9. Fig.: The relation of harmony, or exact agreement; equality; level. We live not on the square with such as these. --Dryden. 10. (Astrol.) The position of planets distant ninety degrees from each other; a quadrate. [Obs.] 11. The act of squaring, or quarreling; a quarrel. [R.] 12. The front of a woman's dress over the bosom, usually worked or embroidered. [Obs.] --Shak. Geometrical square. See Quadrat, n., 2. Hollow square (Mil.), a formation of troops in the shape of a square, each side consisting of four or five ranks, and the colors, officers, horses, etc., occupying the middle. Least square, Magic square, etc. See under Least, Magic, etc. On the square, or Upon the square, in an open, fair manner; honestly, or upon honor. [Obs. or Colloq.] On, or Upon, the square with, upon equality with; even with. --Nares. To be all squares, to be all settled. [Colloq.] --Dickens. To be at square, to be in a state of quarreling. [Obs.] --Nares. To break no square, to give no offense; to make no difference. [Obs.] To break squares, to depart from an accustomed order. To see how the squares go, to see how the game proceeds; -- a phrase taken from the game of chess, the chessboard being formed with squares. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Peril Per"il, n. [F. p['e]ril, fr. L. periculum, periclum, akin to peritus experienced, skilled, and E. fare. See Fare, and cf. Experience.] Danger; risk; hazard; jeopardy; exposure of person or property to injury, loss, or destruction. In perils of waters, in perils of robbers. --2 Cor. xi. 26. Adventure hard With peril great achieved. --Milton. At, or On, one's peril, with risk or danger to one; at the hazard of. ``On thy soul's peril.'' --Shak. Syn: Hazard; risk; jeopardy. See Danger.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Strength Strength, n. [OE. strengthe, AS. streng[eth]u, fr. strang strong. See Strong.] 1. The quality or state of being strong; ability to do or to bear; capacity for exertion or endurance, whether physical, intellectual, or moral; force; vigor; power; as, strength of body or of the arm; strength of mind, of memory, or of judgment. All his [Samson's] strength in his hairs were. --Chaucer. Thou must outlive Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty. --Milton. 2. Power to resist force; solidity or toughness; the quality of bodies by which they endure the application of force without breaking or yielding; -- in this sense opposed to frangibility; as, the strength of a bone, of a beam, of a wall, a rope, and the like. ``The brittle strength of bones.'' --Milton. 3. Power of resisting attacks; impregnability. ``Our castle's strength will laugh a siege to scorn.'' --Shak. 4. That quality which tends to secure results; effective power in an institution or enactment; security; validity; legal or moral force; logical conclusiveness; as, the strength of social or legal obligations; the strength of law; the strength of public opinion; strength of evidence; strength of argument. 5. One who, or that which, is regarded as embodying or affording force, strength, or firmness; that on which confidence or reliance is based; support; security. God is our refuge and strength. --Ps. xlvi. 1. What they boded would be a mischief to us, you are providing shall be one of our principal strengths. --Sprat. Certainly there is not a greater strength against temptation. --Jer. Taylor. 6. Force as measured; amount, numbers, or power of any body, as of an army, a navy, and the like; as, what is the strength of the enemy by land, or by sea? 7. Vigor or style; force of expression; nervous diction; -- said of literary work. And praise the easy vigor of a life Where Denham's strength and Waller's sweetness join. --Pope. 8. Intensity; -- said of light or color. Bright Ph[oe]bus in his strength. --Shak. 9. Intensity or degree of the distinguishing and essential element; spirit; virtue; excellence; -- said of liquors, solutions, etc.; as, the strength of wine or of acids. 10. A strong place; a stronghold. [Obs.] --Shak. On, or Upon, the strength of, in reliance upon. ``The allies, after a successful summer, are too apt, upon the strength of it, to neglect their preparations for the ensuing campaign.'' --Addison. Syn: Force; robustness; toughness; hardness; stoutness; brawniness; lustiness; firmness; puissance; support; spirit; validity; authority. See Force.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Penalty Pe"nal*ty, n.; pl. Penalties. [F. p['e]nalit['e]. See Penal.] 1. Penal retribution; punishment for crime or offense; the suffering in person or property which is annexed by law or judicial decision to the commission of a crime, offense, or trespass. Death is the penalty imposed. --Milton. 2. The suffering, or the sum to be forfeited, to which a person subjects himself by covenant or agreement, in case of nonfulfillment of stipulations; forfeiture; fine. The penalty and forfeit of my bond. --Shak. 3. A handicap. [Sporting Cant] Note: The term penalty is in law mostly applied to a pecuniary punishment. Bill of pains and penalties. See under Bill. On, or Under, penalty of, on pain of; with exposure to the penalty of, in case of transgression.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Tapis Ta"pis, n. [F. See Tapestry.] Tapestry; formerly, the cover of a council table. On, or Upon, the tapis, on the table, or under consideration; as, to lay a motion in Parliament on the tapis.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Tail Tail, v. t. 1. To follow or hang to, like a tail; to be attached closely to, as that which can not be evaded. [Obs.] Nevertheless his bond of two thousand pounds, wherewith he was tailed, continued uncanceled, and was called on the next Parliament. --Fuller. 2. To pull or draw by the tail. [R.] --Hudibras. To tail in or on (Arch.), to fasten by one of the ends into a wall or some other support; as, to tail in a timber.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. Note: In addition to the uses shown below, 'on' is used after some verbs, nouns, and adjectives in order to introduce extra information. 'On' is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'keep on', 'cotton on', and 'sign on'. 1. If someone or something is on a surface or object, the surface or object is immediately below them and is supporting their weight. He is sitting beside her on the sofa... On top of the cupboards are vast straw baskets which Pat uses for dried flower arrangements... On the table were dishes piled high with sweets... PREP 2. If something is on a surface or object, it is stuck to it or attached to it. I admired the peeling paint on the ceiling... The clock on the wall showed one minute to twelve... There was a smear of gravy on his chin. PREP • On is also an adverb. I know how to darn, and how to sew a button on. ADV: ADV after v 3. If you put, throw, or drop something on a surface, you move it or drop it so that it is then supported by the surface. He got his winter jacket from the closet and dropped it on the sofa... He threw a folded dollar on the counter. = onto PREP 4. You use on to say what part of your body is supporting your weight. He continued to lie on his back and look at clouds... He raised himself on his elbows, squinting into the sun... She was on her hands and knees in the bathroom. PREP 5. You use on to say that someone or something touches a part of a person's body. He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the mouth... His jaw was broken after he was hit on the head. PREP 6. If someone has a particular expression on their face, their face has that expression. The maid looked at him, a nervous smile on her face... She looked at him with a hurt expression on her face. PREP: n PREP n 7. When you put a piece of clothing on, you place it over part of your body in order to wear it. If you have it on, you are wearing it. He put his coat on while she opened the front door... I had a hat on. ADV: ADV after v 8. You can say that you have something on you if you are carrying it in your pocket or in a bag. I didn't have any money on me... PREP: PREP pron 9. If someone's eyes are on you, they are looking or staring at you. Everyone's eyes were fixed on him... It's as if all eyes are focused on me... PREP 10. If you hurt yourself on something, you accidentally hit a part of your body against it and that thing causes damage to you. Mr Pendle hit his head on a wall as he fell... PREP 11. If you are on an area of land, you are there. You lived on the farm until you came back to America? ...a tall tree on a mountain. PREP 12. If something is situated on a place such as a road or coast, it forms part of it or is by the side of it. Bergdorf Goodman has opened a men's store on Fifth Avenue... The hotel is on the coast... He visited relatives at their summer house on the river. PREP 13. If you get on a bus, train, or plane, you go into it in order to travel somewhere. If you are on it, you are travelling in it. We waited till twelve and we finally got on the plane... I never go on the bus into the town... PREP • On is also an adverb. He showed his ticket to the conductor and got on. ADV: ADV after v 14. If there is something on a piece of paper, it has been written or printed there. The writing on the back of the card was cramped but scrupulously neat... The numbers she put on the chart were 98.4, 64, and 105... PREP 15. If something is on a list, it is included in it. The Queen now doesn't even appear on the list of the 40 richest people in Britain. ...the range of topics on the agenda for their talks. PREP 16. Books, discussions, or ideas on a particular subject are concerned with that subject. They offer a free counselling service which can offer help and advice on legal matters... He declined to give any information on the Presidential election... PREP 17. You use on to introduce the method, principle, or system which is used to do something. ...a television that we bought on credit two months ago. ...a levelling system which acts on the same principle as a spirit level... They want all groups to be treated on an equal basis. PREP 18. If something is done on an instrument or a machine, it is done using that instrument or machine. ...songs that I could just sit down and play on the piano... I could do all my work on the computer... PREP 19. If information is, for example, on tape or on computer, that is the way that it is stored. 'I thought it was a load of rubbish.'—'Right we've got that on tape.'... Descriptions of the pieces have been logged on computer by the Art Loss Register... PREP 20. If something is being broadcast, you can say that it is on the radio or television. Every sporting event on television and satellite over the next seven days is listed... Here, listen, they're talking about it on Radio-Paris right now. PREP • On is also an adjective. ...teenagers complaining there's nothing good on. ADJ: v-link ADJ 21. When an activity is taking place, you can say that it is on. There's a marvellous match on at Wimbledon at the moment... We in Berlin hardly knew a war was on during the early part of 1941. ADJ: v-link ADJ 22. You use on in expressions such as 'have a lot on' and 'not have very much on' to indicate how busy someone is. (SPOKEN) I have a lot on in the next week. ADV: ADV after v, amount ADV 23. You use on to introduce an activity that someone is doing, particularly travelling. I've always wanted to go on a cruise... Students on the full-time course of study are usually sponsored... PREP 24. When something such as a machine or an electric light is on, it is functioning or in use. When you switch it on, it starts functioning. The central heating's been turned off. I've turned it on again... The light had been left on... He didn't bother to switch on the light. ? off ADV: be ADV, ADV after v 25. If you are on a committee or council, you are a member of it. Claire and Beryl were on the organizing committee... He was on the Council of Foreign Relations. PREP 26. You can indicate when something happens by saying that it happens on a particular day or date. This year's event will take place on June 19th, a week earlier than usual... She travels to Korea on Monday... I was born on Christmas day... Dr. Keen arrived about seven on Sunday morning. PREP 27. You use on when mentioning an event that was followed by another one. She waited in her hotel to welcome her children on their arrival from London... On reaching Dubai the evacuees are taken straight to Dubai international airport. PREP: PREP n/-ing 28. You use on to say that someone is continuing to do something. They walked on in silence for a while... If the examination shows your company enjoys basically good health, read on... He happened to be in England when the war broke out and he just stayed on. ADV: ADV after v 29. If you say that someone goes on at you, you mean that they continually criticize you, complain to you, or ask you to do something. She's been on at me for weeks to show her round the stables... He used to keep on at me about the need to win... ADV: be ADV, ADV after v, usu ADV at n 30. You use on in expressions such as from now on and from then on to indicate that something starts to happen at the time mentioned and continues to happen afterwards. Perhaps it would be best not to see much of you from now on... We can expect trouble from this moment on... ADV: from n ADV 31. You often use on after the adverbs 'early', 'late', 'far', and their comparative forms, especially at the beginning or end of a sentence, or before a preposition. The market square is a riot of colour and animation from early on in the morning... Later on I learned how to read music... The pub where I had arranged to meet Nobby was a good five minutes walk further on. ADV: adv ADV 32. Someone who is on a drug takes it regularly. She was on antibiotics for an eye infection that wouldn't go away... Many of the elderly are on medication. PREP 33. If you live on a particular kind of food, you eat it. If a machine runs on a particular kind of power or fuel, it uses it in order to function. The caterpillars feed on a wide range of trees, shrubs and plants... He lived on a diet of water and tinned fish... ...making and selling vehicles that run on batteries or fuel-cells. = off PREP: v PREP n 34. If you are on a particular income, that is the income that you have. He's on three hundred a week... You won't be rich as an MP, but you'll have enough to live on. PREP 35. Taxes or profits that are obtained from something are referred to as taxes or profits on it. ...a general strike to protest a tax on food and medicine last week... The Church was to receive a cut of the profits on every record sold... PREP: n PREP n 36. When you buy something or pay for something, you spend money on it. I resolved not to waste money on a hotel... He spent more on feeding the dog than he spent on feeding himself... More money should be spent on education and housing. PREP: PREP n/-ing 37. When you spend time or energy on a particular activity, you spend time or energy doing it. People complain about how children spend so much time on computer games... ...the opportunity to concentrate more time and energy on America's domestic agenda. PREP: PREP n/-ing 38. If you say that something is not on or is just not on, you mean that it is unacceptable or impossible. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL) We shouldn't use the police in that way. It's just not on. PHRASE: v-link PHR 39. If you say that something happens on and on, you mean that it continues to happen for a very long time. ...designers, builders, fitters–the list goes on and on... Lobell drove on and on through the dense and blowing snow. ...a desert of ice stretching on and on. PHRASE: usu PHR after v 40. If you ask someone what they are on about or what they are going on about, you are puzzled because you cannot understand what they are talking about. (BRIT INFORMAL) What on earth are you going on about?... Honest, Kate, I don't know what you're on about. PHRASE: V inflects 41. If you say that someone knows what they are on about, you are confident that what they are saying is true or makes sense, for example because they are an expert. (BRIT INFORMAL) It looks like he knows what he's on about. PHRASE: Vs inflect 42. If someone has something on you, they have evidence that you have done something wrong or bad. If they have nothing on you, they cannot prove that you have done anything wrong or bad. (INFORMAL) He may have something on her. He may have supplied her with drugs, and then threatened to tell if she didn't do this... You've got nothing on me and you know it. Your theory would never stand up in a court of law. PHRASE: V inflects 43. on behalf of: see behalf on and off: see off and so on: see so on top of: see top

Hitchcock Bible Dictionary

pain; force; iniquity

Easton's Bible Dictionary

light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have "Heliopolis" ("city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The "city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. "of Heres;" Heb. 'Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., "city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the "city of the sun-god" shall become the "city of destruction" of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be established.

In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the sun. Of these only one now remains standing. "Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple of Tum, i.e., "the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London.

"It was at On that Joseph wooed and won the dark-skinned Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of its great temple." This was a noted university town, and here Moses gained his acquaintance with "all the wisdom of the Egyptians."

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. prep. Upon. II. ad. 1. Forward, onward. 2. Forward, in succession. 3. In continuance, without interruption, without ceasing. 4. Steady, adhering. 5. Attached, put on, upon the body.

Dictionary of Ro

not in

Moby Thesaurus

about, above, accidental, accompanying, across, ado, afloat, afoot, after which, against, ahead, along, among, anent, apropos of, as for, as regards, as respects, as to, astraddle, astride, at, atop, by, by dint of, by means of, by use of, by virtue of, by way of, circumstantial, concerning, current, doing, en route to, eventuating, for, forth, forward, forwards, from, going on, happening, headed for, hereby, hereinafter, herewith, horseback, in, in connection with, in contact with, in hand, in passage to, in point of, in re, in reference to, in regard to, in relation to, in relation with, in respect to, in the wind, in transit to, in virtue of, incidental, near, next to, occasional, occurring, of, on foot, on horseback, on route to, on top of, ongoing, onward, onwards, opposite, over, over against, passing, per, pertaining to, pertinent to, prevailing, prevalent, re, referring to, regarding, relating to, relative to, respecting, resultant, speaking of, straddle, straddle-legged, straddleback, taking place, thanks to, thereby, therewith, through, to, touching, toward, towards, under way, up, up against, upon, upon which, versus, vis-a-vis, whereat, whereby, wherefore, whereon, whereto, whereunto, whereupon, wherewith, wherewithal, with, with regard to, with respect to