|
Search, browse, and study this dictionary to learn more about the early American, Christian language. 
1828.mshaffer.com › Word [on]
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. Matt. 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. Matt. 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.
|
Evolution (or devolution) of this word [on]
| 1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
|---|
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. Matt. 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. Matt. 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. |
ON, adv.- Forward, in progression; as, move on; go on.
- Forward, in succession. From father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
- In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on; write on.
- Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, “he is neither on nor off,” that is, he is not steady; he is irresolute.
- 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 cheerly on, courageous friends; that is, go on, move on.
ON, prep. [G. an; D. aan; Goth. ana; Gr. ανω; L. in; Gr. εν. The Sax. in is our in, and un is a negative; but probably all these words are radically the same. The primary sense of the verb from which these words must be derived, is to pass, to approach, to come to or to meet. Hence they denote nearness, closeness or contiguity, and from meeting the Latin in and the English un have their power of negation or opposing.]- 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.
- Coming or falling to the surface of any thing; as, rain falls on the earth.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone, shall be broken. Matth. xxi.
- Performing or acting by contact with the surface, upper part or outside of any thing; as, to play on a harp, a violin, or a drum.
- Noting addition; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss.
- At or near. When we say, a vessel is on shore, we mean that she is aground; but when we say, a fleet or 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- At the time of, with some reference to cause or motive. On public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform.
- It is put before the object of some passion, with the sense of toward or for. Have pity or compassion on him.
- At the peril of, or for the safety of.
Hence, on thy life. Dryden.
- Denoting a pledge or engagement, or put before the thing pledged. He affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
- 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. Matth. xxvii.
- In consequence of, or immediately after. On the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
- 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
- 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.
- Forward, in
progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move
on; go on.
- 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.
- Forward, in succession; as, from father to
son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
- 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.
- In continuance; without interruption or
ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing
on.
- 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.
- Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He
is neither on nor off," that is, he is not steady, he is
irresolute.
- In addition to; besides; -- indicating
multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps;
mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on
thought.
- Attached to the body, as clothing or
ornament, or for use.
- 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.
- In progress; proceeding; as, a game is
on.
- At or in the time of; during; as,
on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At
(synonym).
- 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.
- Toward; for; -- indicating the object of
some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
- At the peril of, or for the safety
of.
- 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.
- 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.
- In reference or relation to; as,
on our part expect punctuality; a satire on
society.
- Of.
- Occupied with; in the performance of; as,
only three officers are on duty; on a
journey.
- In the service of; connected with; of the
number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a
committee.
|
| 1828 Webster | 1844 Webster | 1913 Webster |
|---|
Thank you for visiting!
- Our goal is to try and improve the quality of the digital form of this dictionary being historically true and accurate to the first American dictionary. Read more ...
- Below you will find three sketches from a talented artist and friend depicting Noah Webster at work. Please tell us what you think.
Divine Study
 
Divine Study
|
Window of Reflection
 
Window of Reflection
|
Enlightening Grace
 
Enlightening Grace
|
142
|
915 |
107
|
987 |
174
|
1022 |
On ON, pre. [Latin 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 21:7. 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 27:19. 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, adverb 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 |
|
| Hard-cover Edition |
341 |
 |
522 |
|
| Compact Edition |
326 |
 |
228 |
|
| CD-ROM |
283 |
 |
187 |
|
* As a note, I have purchased each of these products. In fact, as we have been developing the Project:: 1828 Reprint, I have purchased several of the bulky hard-cover dictionaries. My opinion is that the 2000-page hard-cover edition is the only good viable solution at this time. The compact edition was a bit disappointing and the CD-ROM as well. |
| [ + ] |
| Add Search To Your Site |
|
|
|
