At
King James Dictionary [1]
At, prep. L. ad. At, ad and to, if not radically the same word often coincide in signification Heb to come, to a approach. Hence it primarily denotes presence, meeting, nearness, direction towards.
In general, at denotes nearness, or presents as at the ninth hour, at the house but it is less definite than in or on at the house, may be in or near the house. It denotes also towards, versus as, to aim an arrow at a mark.
From this original import are derived all the various uses of at. At the sight, is with, present, or coming the sight at this news, present the news, on or with the approach or arrival of this news. At peace, at war, in a state of peace or war, peace or war, in a state of peace or war, peace or war existing, being present at ease, at play, at a loss, &c. convey the like idea. At arms, furnished with arms, bearing arms present with arms at hand, within reach of the hand, and therefore near at my cost, with my cost at his suit, by or with his suit at this declaration, he rose from his seat, that is present, or coming this declaration whence results the idea in consequence of it. At his command, is either under his command, that is, literally, coming or being come his command, in the power of, or in consequence of it. He is good at engraving, at husbandry that is, in performing that business. He deserves well at our hands that is, from us. The peculiar phrases in which this word occurs, with appropriate significations, are numerous. At first, at last, at least, at best, at the worst, at the highest or lowest, are phrases in which some noun is implied as, at the first time or beginning at the last time, or point of time at the least or best degree, &c. all denoting an extreme point or superlative degree. At all, is in any manner or degree.
At is sometimes used for to, or towards, noting progression or direction as, he aims at perfection he makes or runs at him, or points at him. In this phrase, he longs to be at him, at has its general sense of approaching, or present, or with, in contest or attack.
Webster's Dictionary [2]
(1): (prep.) The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands.
(2): (prep.) The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first.
(3): (prep.) The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80¡; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest.
(4): (prep.) Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at.
(5): (prep.) The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage.
(6): (prep.) The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns.
(7): (prep.) A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land.
(8): (prep.) Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one.
