around

around [ə round′]

adv.

[ME < a-, on + ROUND¹: all senses derive from those of “circling, within a circle”]

1. round; esp.,

a) in a circle; along a circular course or circumference

b) in or through a course or circuit, as from one place to another

c) on all sides; in every direction

d) in circumference

e) in or to the opposite direction, belief, etc.

f) in various places; here and there

g) in succession or sequence [his turn came around]

h) in every part of; throughout [the year around]

2. Informal within a close periphery; nearby [stay around ]

☆ 3. Informal to a (specified or understood) place [come around to see us]

4. Informal nearly; approximately; about [around five pounds]

prep.

1.

a) on the circumference, border, or outer part of

b) so as to encircle

2. so as to surround or envelop

3. from the beginning to the end of (a period of time); throughout

4. so as to rotate or revolve about (an axis or center)

5. on all sides of; in every direction from

6.

a) in various places in or on; here and there in; all about

b) to or through every part or various parts of; in a circuit or course through

7.

a) so as to make a curve or partial circuit about

b) at a point reached by making such a circuit about [the house around the corner]

8. so as to master or overcome (an obstacle or problem) [we got around the boss by finding a substitute]

9. in the vicinity of; near to [somewhere around the building ]

☆ 10. somewhat close to; about [it happened around 1965]

11. so as to be based on [a speech written around a favorite concept]

adj.

1. on the move; about [he's up and around now]

2. existing; living [when dinosaurs were around]: As an adjective, used only in the predicate: Cf. ROUND¹

——————

☆ have been around

Informal to have had wide experience; be sophisticated: see also phrases under BRING, COME, GET, etc.