| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| at1 |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |   t;  t when unstressed |
| PREPOSITION: | 1a. In or near the area occupied by; in or near the location of: at the market; at our destination. b. In or near the position of: always at my side; at the center of the page. 2. To or toward the direction or location of, especially for a specific purpose: Questions came at us from all sides. 3. Present during; attending: at the dance. 4. Within the interval or span of: at the dinner hour; at a glance. 5. In the state or condition of: at peace with one's conscience. 6. In the activity or field of: skilled at playing chess; good at math. 7. To or using the rate, extent, or amount of; to the point of: at 30 cents a pound; at high speed; at 20 paces; at 350°F. 8. On, near, or by the time or age of: at three o'clock; at 72 years of age. 9. On account of; because of: rejoice at a victory. 10. By way of; through: exited at the rear gate. 11. In accord with; following: at my request. 12. Dependent upon: at the mercy of the court. 13. Occupied with: at work. | | IDIOM: | at it Informal Engaged in verbal or physical conflict; arguing or fighting: The neighbors are at it again. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English, from Old English æt. See ad- in Appendix I.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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