Word: at Part of Speech: prep Etymology: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Germanic *at Old English æt Middle English at English at From Middle English at, from Old English æt (“at, near, by, toward”), from Proto-West Germanic *at, from Proto-Germanic *at (“at, near, to”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd (“near, at”). Cognate with Scots at (“at”), North Frisian äät, äit, et, it (“at”), Danish at (“to”), Swedish åt (“for, toward”), Norwegian åt (“to”), Faroese at (“at, to, toward”), Icelandic að (“to, towards”), Gothic 𐌰𐍄 (at, “at”), Latin ad (“to, near”). Pronunciation: /æt/, [æʔ], /ət/ 1. In, near, or in the general vicinity of (a particular place). Example: Caesar was at Rome. Example: A climate treaty was signed at Kyoto in 1997. 2. In, near, or in the general vicinity of (a particular place). Example: She's at Oxford University, studying chemistry. 3. In, near, or in the general vicinity of (a particular place). Example: He used to be at Lehman Brothers. Now he's at Merrill Lynch. Example: 'Where does he work?' — 'I think he's still at the solicitors.' 4. In, near, or in the general vicinity of (a particular place). Example: Target at five miles. Prepare torpedoes. Example: Look out! UFO at two o'clock! 5. Present or taking place during (an event). Example: Was he at the meeting? Example: There was a big fight at the class reunion. 6. Indicating time of occurrence, especially an instant of time, or a period of time relatively short in context or from the speaker’s perspective. Example: at six o’clock; at dawn; at closing time; at the age of twelve; at night; at the moment Example: Lafayette was major-general in the American army at the age of 18 […] 7. Indicating time of occurrence, especially an instant of time, or a period of time relatively short in context or from the speaker’s perspective. Labels: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK, especially Example: balance as at 20th March 1999 Example: at the date of the commencement of the proceedings before the judicial or administrative authority of the Contracting State where the child is 8. In the direction of; towards; (often implied to be in a hostile or careless manner). Example: Don’t just talk at someone; really listen to what they have to say. Example: Stones were thrown at us, but we couldn't see who did. 9. Indicating action bearing upon something, especially continued or repeated action. Example: Don't pick at your food! Example: My cat keeps scratching at the furniture. 10. In response or reaction to. Example: At my request, they agreed to move us to another hotel. Example: He jumped at the sudden noise. 11. Occupied in (activity). Example: men at work; children at play 12. In a state of. Example: The two countries are at war. Example: She is at sixes and sevens with him. 13. Subject to. Example: We hope that the event will go ahead, but we are at the whim of the weather. Example: The city was at the mercy of the occupying forces. 14. Denotes a price. Example: 3 apples at 2¢ (each) Example: The offer was at $30,000 before negotiations. 15. Indicates a position on a scale or in a series. Example: Sell at $90. Example: Tiger finished the round at tenth, seven strokes behind the leaders. 16. In certain phrases, used to indicate the manner in which something happens or is done. Example: The car came towards me at speed. Example: He spoke at great length on the topic. 17. Indicates a specific speed or rate that is maintained by something. Example: We were cruising along at well over the speed limit of fifty miles per hour. Example: It is growing at the rate of 3% a year. 18. Indicates a means or method. Example: 'How was the painting sold?' — 'At auction.' Example: […] to be sold at auction for sixty gold francs. 19. On the subject of; regarding. Example: The twins were both bad at chemistry. Example: He slipped at marksmanship over his extended holiday. 20. Bothering, irritating, causing discomfort to Labels: Ireland Example: 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’[.] Example: 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.” 21. Also used in various other idiomatic combinations: at a pinch, at all, at fault, at pains, at risk, at that, etc.; see the individual entries.