Preposition

(English prepositions)

In or very near a particular place.

:

*

*:“My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. ¶ Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. ¶ “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”

*

*:(b ) sporophyte with foot reduced, the entire sporophyte enveloped by the calyptra, which is ± stipitate at the base.

(indicating time) Simultaneous, during.

:

*{{quote-news, year=2012, date=April 19, author=Josh Halliday, work=the Guardian

, title= Free speech haven or lawless cesspool – can the internet be civilised? , passage=Other global taboos, such as sex and suicide, manifest themselves widely online, with websites offering suicide guides and Hot XXX Action seconds away at the click of a button. The UK government will come under pressure to block access to pornographic websites this year when a committee of MPs publishes its report on protecting children online.}}

In the direction of (often in an unfocused or uncaring manner).

:

*

*:“My Continental prominence is improving,” I commented dryly. ¶ Von Lindowe cut at a furze bush with his silver-mounted rattan. ¶ “Quite so,” he said as dryly, his hand at his mustache. “I may say if your intentions were known your life would not be worth a curse.”

Occupied in (activity).

:

:

Because of.

:

Holding a given speed or .

:

In a state of.

:

bothering, irritating, causing discomfort to

*1995 Keith Wood, quoted in David Hughes, " Wood odds-on to take one against the head", in The Independent (London) 18 January:

*:I think `Jesus, my back is at' me'. Then I get the ball. Off you go for 10 yards and you don't feel a thing. Then you stop and think: `Jesus, it's ' at me again'[.]

*2014 Marian Keyes " Antarctic Diary - Part 2" personal website (January 2014):

*:He seems to be saying. “Ah, go on, you’re making the other lads feel bad.” But the 4th fella says, “No. Don’t be ‘at’ me. I’m just not in the form right now, I’ll stay where I am, thanks.”

Preposition

(English prepositions)

Earlier than (in time).

* (Jonathan Swift) (1667–1745)

Before this treatise can become of use, two points are necessary.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=5 , passage=We made an odd party before the arrival of the Ten, particularly when the Celebrity dropped in for lunch or dinner.}}

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=November 11, author=Rory Houston, work=RTE Sport

, title= Estonia 0-4 Republic of Ireland , passage=Stephen Ward then had to time his tackle excellently to deny Tarmo Kink as the Wolves winger slid the ball out of play before the Estonian could attempt to beat Given.}}

In front of in space.

* (John Milton) (1608-1674)

His angel, who shall go / Before them in a cloud and pillar of fire.

*

He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance.she found her mother standing up before the seat on which she had sat all the evening searching anxiously for her with her eyes, and her father by her side.

* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=September-October, author=(Henry Petroski)

, magazine=(American Scientist), title= The Evolution of Eyeglasses , passage=The ability of a segment of a glass sphere to magnify whatever is placed before it was known around the year 1000, when the spherical segment was called a reading stone, essentially what today we might term a frameless magnifying glass or plain glass paperweight.}}

Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).

* (John Ayliffe) (1676-1732)

If a suit be begun before an archdeacon

In store for, in the future of (someone).

* (Thomas Carlyle) (1795-1881)

The golden ageis before us.

In front of, according to a formal system of ordering items.

At a higher or greater position in a ranking.

* (Bible), (w) i. 15

He that cometh after me is preferred before me.

* (Samuel Johnson) (1709-1784)

The eldest son is before the younger in succession.