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(), prep.[OE. on, an, o, a, AS. on, an; akin to D. aan, OS. & G. an, OHG. ana, Icel. , Sw. , Goth. ana, Russ. na, L. an-, in anhelare to pant, Gr. 'ana°, Zend ana. 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 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. 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. スポンサード リンク
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