(prep.) The general signification of on is situation, motion, or
condition with respect to contact or support beneath
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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.
(prep.) 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
feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
(prep.) At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or
position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the
American coast.
(prep.) In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or
succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss
on loss; thought on thought.
(prep.) Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as,
to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the
ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain
conditions; to bet on a horse.
(prep.) At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from
labor. See At (synonym).
(prep.) At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive;
as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform.
Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the
treaty, the armies were disbanded.
(prep.) Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as,
have pity or compassion on him.
(prep.) At the peril of, or for the safety of.
(prep.) By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or
engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or
promised on his word, or on his honor.
(prep.) To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or
coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a
curse on him.
(prep.) In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect
punctuality; a satire on society.
(prep.) Of.
(prep.) Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three
officers are on duty; on a journey.
(prep.) In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he
is on a newspaper; on a committee.
(prep.) Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of
motion; as, move on; go on.
(prep.) Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son
to the grandson, and so on.
(prep.) In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep
on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
(prep.) Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor
off," that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
(prep.) Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
(prep.) In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.
