different between about vs legal
about
English
Alternative forms
- (archaic) abowt; (abbreviation) a., (abbreviation) ab.,* (abbreviation) abt.
Pronunciation
- (US, England) IPA(key): /?? ba?t/
- (Canada, Scotland) IPA(key): /?? b??t/, [?? b??t], [?? bo?t]
- (Canada, Ireland, Virginia) IPA(key): /?? b??t/
- Rhymes: -a?t
- Hyphenation: about
Etymology
Preposition and adverb from Middle English aboute, abouten, from Old English ab?tan, onb?tan, from on (“in, on”) +? b?tan (“outside of”), from be (“by”) +? ?tan (“outside”).
Adjective from Middle English about (adverb).
Preposition
about
- In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of. [First attested prior to 1150.]
- The snake was coiled about his ankle.
- c.1604–1605, William Shakespeare, All's Well That Ends Well
- So look about you; know you any here?
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, Proverbs, iii, 3
- Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
- Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- Rubbish was strewn about the place.
- The children were running about the room.
- He was well known about town.
- 1849, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The history of England from the accession of James the Second
- He had been known, during several years, as a small poet; and some of the most savage lampoons which were handed about the coffeehouses were imputed to him.
- Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.
- (with 'to' and verb infinitive) See about to.
- (with present participle, obsolete or dialect) On the point or verge of.
- 1866, A treatise on the law of suits by attachment in the United States, by Charles Daniel Drake, page 80
- [It] was held, that the latter requirement was fulfilled by an affidavit declaring that "the defendant was about leaving the State permanently."
- 1866, A treatise on the law of suits by attachment in the United States, by Charles Daniel Drake, page 80
- Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- 1671 John Milton, Samson Agonistes
- I already have made way / To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat / About thy ransom.
- 1860, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage
- "I'll tell you what, Fanny: she must have her way about Sarah Thompson. You can see her to-morrow and tell her so."
- 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
- Well, let’s not talk about yesterday.
- Well, let’s not talk about yesterday.
- Synonyms: apropos, as for; see also Thesaurus:about
- 1671 John Milton, Samson Agonistes
- Concerned with; engaged in; intent on. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- to be about one's business
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, Luke, ii, 49
- And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
- 2013 March 14, Parks and Recreation, season 5, episode 16, Bailout:
- RON: And I'll have the number 8.
- WAITER: That's a party platter, it serves 12 people.
- RON: I know what I'm about, son.
- Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
- I can't find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
- John's in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
- On one's person; nearby the person. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- I had no weapon about me but a stick.
- 1837, Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Ernest Maltravers: Volume 1
- At this assurance the traveller rose, and approached Alice softly. He drew away her hands from her face, when she said gently, "Have you much money about you?"
- "Oh the mercenary baggage!" said the traveller to himself; and then replied aloud "Why, pretty one? Do you sell your kisses so high, then?"
- (figuratively) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in the possession of; under the control of; at one's command; in one's makeup. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
- (Chester) in hand, in the process of doing.
Usage notes
- (Indicates that something will happen very soon): In modern English, always followed by an infinitive that begins with to ("I am about to bathe"); see about to. In the past, it was possible to instead follow the about with the present participle ("I am about swimming"), but this format is no longer used or widely understood.
- (concerning): Used as a function word to indicate what is dealt with as the object of thought, feeling, or action.
Translations
Adverb
about (not comparable)
- On all sides; around. [First attested before 1150.]
- I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
- 1599, Robert Greene, The Comical History of Alphonsus King of Aragon, III-ii,
- Why, then, I see, ‘tis time to look about, / When every boy Alphonsus dares control.
- Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down. [First attested before 1150.]
- Bits of old machinery were lying about.
- From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
- walking about;? rushing about;? jumping about;? thrashing about
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, 1 Timothy, v,13,
- And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
- He and Gerald usually challenged the rollers in a sponson canoe when Gerald was there for the weekend; or, when Lansing came down, the two took long swims seaward or cruised about in Gerald's dory, clad in their swimming-suits; and Selwyn's youth became renewed in a manner almost ridiculous, […].
- Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
- messing about;? fooling about;? loafing about
- Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost. [First attested before 1150.]
- c.1590–1591, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Therefore I know she is about my height.
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, Matthew, xx, 3,
- And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, Exodus, ix, 18
- Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
- 1769, King James Bible, Oxford Standard text, Exodus, xxxii,28:
- And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.
- “Heavens!” exclaimed Nina, “the blue-stocking and the fogy!—and yours are pale blue, Eileen!—you’re about as self-conscious as Drina—slumping there with your hair tumbling à la Mérode! Oh, it's very picturesque, of course, but a straight spine and good grooming is better. […]”
- c.1590–1591, William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona
- Near; in the vicinity. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view. [First attested around 1150 to 1350.]
- 1888, Horatio Alger, The Errand Boy,
- Mr. Carter, whose back had been turned, turned about and faced his niece.
- (nautical) To the opposite tack. [First attested in the late 15th century.]
- 1888, Horatio Alger, The Errand Boy,
- (obsolete or rare) In succession; one after another; in the course of events. [First attested before 1150.]
- 1818, James Hogg, published in The Scots Magazine, Vol. 86, p. 218, "On the Life and Writings of James Hogg" [1] [Quoted in the OED]
- When he had finished, he drew his plaid around his head, and went slowly down to the little dell, where he used every day to offer up his morning and evening prayers, and where we have often sat together on Sabbath afternoons, reading verse about with our children in the Bible.
- 1818, James Hogg, published in The Scots Magazine, Vol. 86, p. 218, "On the Life and Writings of James Hogg" [1] [Quoted in the OED]
- (archaic) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]
- 1886, Duncan Keith, A history of Scotland: civil and ecclesiastical from the earliest times to the death of David I, 1153, Vol.1,
- Nothing daunted, the fleet put to sea, and after sailing about the island for some time, a landing was effected in the west of Munster.
- 1886, Duncan Keith, A history of Scotland: civil and ecclesiastical from the earliest times to the death of David I, 1153, Vol.1,
Synonyms
- (many senses): around
Derived terms
Translations
Adjective
about (not comparable)
- Moving around; astir.
- 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet,
- 'John, I have observed that you are often out and about of nights, sometimes as late as half past seven or eight. […]'
- 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet,
- In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
- 2005, IDG Communications, Digit, Issues 89-94,
- Although it has been about for some time now, I like the typeface Sauna.
- 2006, Great Britain Parliament: House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, Energy: Meeting With Malcolm Wicks MP,
- Is not this sudden interest in capturing CO2 — and it has been about for a little while — simply another hidey-hole for the government to creep into?
- 2005, IDG Communications, Digit, Issues 89-94,
- Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
- I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
- Watch out, there's a thief about.
Synonyms
- (moving around): around, active, mobile, astir
- (in existence): around
References
- about at OneLook Dictionary Search
- about in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.
Anagrams
- Touba, Tuoba, U-boat
French
Noun
about m (plural abouts)
- (technical) The extremity of a metallic or wooden element or piece.
Further reading
- “about” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).
Anagrams
- bouta, tabou
about From the web:
- what about bob
- what about us lyrics
- what about next week
- what about this weekend
- what about bob cast
legal
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis (“legal”), from l?x (“law”). Doublet of loyal and leal.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /?li?.??l/
- Rhymes: -i???l
- (US) IPA(key): /?li??l/
Adjective
legal (comparative more legal, superlative most legal)
- Relating to the law or to lawyers.
- Having its basis in the law.
- Being allowed or prescribed by law.
- (informal) Above the age of consent or the legal drinking age.
- (US, Canada) (of paper or document layouts) Measuring 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm) (also legal-size).
Antonyms
- (allowed): banned, contraband, disallowed, forbidden, illegal, outlawed, unlawful
- (concerning law): black-market, back-alley
- (over age of consent): underage
Derived terms
Translations
Noun
legal (countable and uncountable, plural legals)
- (uncountable, informal) The legal department of a company.
- Legal wants this in writing.
- (uncountable, US, Canada) Paper in sheets 8½ in × 14 in (215.9 mm × 355.6 mm).
- (countable) A spy who is attached to, and ostensibly employed by, an embassy, military outpost, etc.
- (countable, informal, US) Somebody who immigrated lawfully.
- Antonyms: illegal, undocumented
Derived terms
- legal-size
Anagrams
- Galle, egall
Catalan
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis. Compare the inherited doublet lleial.
Pronunciation
- (Balearic, Central) IPA(key): /l???al/
- (Valencian) IPA(key): /le??al/
Adjective
legal (masculine and feminine plural legals)
- legal
- Antonym: il·legal
Derived terms
- legalitzar
- legalment
Related terms
- legalitat
- llei
- lleial
Further reading
- “legal” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.
- “legal” in Gran Diccionari de la Llengua Catalana, Grup Enciclopèdia Catalana.
- “legal” in Diccionari normatiu valencià, Acadèmia Valenciana de la Llengua.
- “legal” in Diccionari català-valencià-balear, Antoni Maria Alcover and Francesc de Borja Moll, 1962.
Danish
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis (“legal”), from l?x (“law”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /le?a?l/, [le???æ??l]
Adjective
legal
- legal (something that conforms to or is according to law)
- legitimate (conforming to accepted rules)
Inflection
Synonyms
- (legal): lovlig
- (legitimate): legitim
Antonyms
- (legal): illegal
Galician
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis. Compare leal.
Adjective
legal m or f (plural legais)
- legal (having its basis in the law)
Antonyms
- ilegal
Derived terms
- legalmente
See also
- lícito
German
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis (“legal”), from l?x (“law”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [le???a?l]
- Rhymes: -a?l
Adjective
legal (not comparable)
- legal
Declension
Antonyms
- illegal
Further reading
- “legal” in Duden online
Indonesian
Etymology
From Dutch legaal (“legal”), from French légal, from Latin l?g?lis.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): [?l??al]
- Hyphenation: lè?gal
Adjective
legal
- legal, allowed or prescribed by law.
Derived terms
Further reading
- “legal” in Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI) Daring, Jakarta: Badan Pengembangan dan Pembinaan Bahasa, Kementerian Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Republik Indonesia, 2016.
Portuguese
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis (“legal”), from l?x (“law”). Compare leal, an inherited doublet.
Pronunciation
- (Portugal) IPA(key): /l?.??a?/
- (Brazil) IPA(key): /le.??aw/
Adjective
legal m or f (plural legais, comparable)
- legal
- (Brazil, familiar) cool, nice, good
Quotations
For quotations using this term, see Citations:legal.
Synonyms
- (legal): lícito
- (Portugal, cool): fixe
Antonyms
- (legal): ilegal
- (cool): chato
Derived terms
- legalmente
Related terms
- ilegal
- legalidade
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French légal, Latin legalis.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /le??al/
Adjective
legal m or n (feminine singular legal?, masculine plural legali, feminine and neuter plural legale)
- legal, lawful
Declension
Synonyms
- licit
Antonyms
- ilegal
- ilicit
Related terms
- legalitate
- lege
- legitim
Spanish
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin l?g?lis, from l?x (“law”). Compare leal, an inherited doublet.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /le??al/, [le???al]
Adjective
legal (plural legales)
- legal, statutory
- Antonym: ilegal
- lawful
- (colloquial) legit
Derived terms
- alegal
- legalmente
Related terms
- ilegal
- legalidad
- ley
Further reading
- “legal” in Diccionario de la lengua española, Vigésima tercera edición, Real Academia Española, 2014.
Swedish
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin legalis.
Adjective
legal (not comparable)
- legal
Declension
Related terms
- illegal
- legalitet
- legitim
legal From the web:
- what legal punishments are there for plagiarism
- what legal documents do i need
- what legal mean
- what legal things for 18
- what legal fees are tax deductible
- what legally blonde character am i
- what legally blind looks like
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