| To (to) |
|---|
| prep. | ((?), emphatic or alone, (?), obscure or
unemphatic) |
|---|
| To |
[AS. t ; akin to OS.
*** OFries. t&omacr], D. toe, G. zu, OHG. zuo,
zua, z, Russ. do, Ir. *** Gael. do, OL.
-do, -du, as in endo, in |
The preposition to primarily indicates
approach and arrival, motion made in the direction of a place or thing and
attaining it, access; and also, motion or tendency without arrival;
movement toward; -- opposed to from.
Hence, it indicates motion, course, or tendency
toward a time, a state or condition, an aim, or anything capable of being
regarded as a limit to a tendency, movement, or action; as, he is going
to a trade; he is rising to wealth and honor.
In a very general way, and with innumerable
varieties of application, to connects transitive verbs with their
remoter or indirect object, and adjectives, nouns, and neuter or passive
verbs with a following noun which limits their action. Its sphere verges
upon that of for, but it contains less the idea of design or
appropriation; as, these remarks were addressed to a large audience;
let us keep this seat to ourselves; a substance sweet to the
taste; an event painful to the mind; duty to God and
to our parents; a dislike to spirituous liquor.
As sign of the infinitive, to had
originally the use of last defined, governing the infinitive as a verbal
noun, and connecting it as indirect object with a preceding verb or
adjective; thus, ready to go, i.e., ready unto going;
good to eat, i.e., good for eating; I do my utmost
to lead my life pleasantly. But it has come to be the almost
constant prefix to the infinitive, even in situations where it has no
prepositional meaning, as where the infinitive is direct object or subject;
thus, I love to learn, i.e., I love learning;
to die for one's country is noble, i.e., the dying for
one's country. Where the infinitive denotes the design or purpose, good
usage formerly allowed the prefixing of for to the to; as,
what went ye out for see? (Matt. xi. 8).
In many phrases, and in connection with many
other words, to has a pregnant meaning, or is used
elliptically.
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 