unto, prep. and conj.
(ˈʌntʊ)
Forms: α. 4– unto (5 untoo), 4–7 vnto (5 north. vntew), 5, 6 Sc. wnto. β. 5–6, 7 Sc., 9 dial. onto (5 onne-to, Sc. one-to).
[f. on the analogy of until prep., by substitution of to prep. in place of the northern equivalent til till prep. Cf. the independent OS. untō.
Since the end of the 17th c. less frequent, and employed chiefly in poetry, or in formal, dignified, or archaic style, or after Biblical use. Very rare in standard writers of the 18th c., and hence noted by Johnson as ‘now obsolete’.]
A. prep. (Ordinarily governing a n. or pron.)
In poetry often placed after the n. or pronoun.
I. Indicating spatial or local relationship.
1. Expressing or denoting motion directed towards and reaching (a place, point, or goal); = to prep. 1.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 17547 Helias..Was taken up als vnto heuen. c 1300 Havelok 2399 Cum nu swiþe un-to him. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 104 Vnto þe se side chaced þei Sir Lowys. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 123 And the seete of Welles was chaungede vn to Bathe. c 1420 Anturs of Arth. (T.) 111 Vn-to þat grysely gaste Sir Gaweayne es gane. c 1440 Alph. Tales 215 He tuke bread & keste vnto it [sc. a swine]. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 5 Thay past vnto Paris. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 4 Theyr iourney out of Egypte vnto the countre of Jerusalem. a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. VIII, 85 He called unto him a servaunt of the kynges. 1587 Holinshed Chron. (ed. 2) III. 1187/1 The campe remooued from Linton brigs vnto salt Preston. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. iii. ii. 310, I told him of your stealth vnto this wood. 1633 G. Herbert Temple, The Bag iv, He did repair unto an inne. 1654 H. Dunster in Quincy Hist. Harvard Univ. (1840) I. 19 The place unto which I go, is unknown to me. 17.. Jock o' the Side xiii. in Caw Poet. Museum, When they cam the gates unto. 1768 Ross Helenore 83 We came unto a gentle place. 1801 Wordsw. Prioress' T. 52 A little scholar..Who day by day unto this school hath gone. 1866 Emerson Daemonic & Celest. Love 48 So shall the lights ye pour amain Go..Through from the empyrean walls Unto the same again. 1887 Morris Odyssey i. 90 Then speed we..Hermes the Flitter, to go Unto the isle Ogygia. |
b. In various fig. uses. (Cf. to prep. 1 b.)
| c 1440 Alph. Tales 218 With þatt sho come agayn vnto hur selfe, & thankid God. Ibid. 448 When he come vnto his spyrittis agayn. 1526 Tindale Heb. vii. 19 By which hope we drawe nye vnto god. 1535 Coverdale Psalm xxiii. 4 Which lifteth not vp his mynde vnto vanite. 1538 Starkey England 21 Though..I dowtyd no thyng of thys mater, that you so ernystely moue me vnto. 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 263 They put all their goodes vnto the Englishmens pleasures. 1600 Holland Livy 1123 In this last speech he came neere unto the LL. of the Senat, and touched them to the quick. 1606 G. Woodcock Hist. Ivstine v. 27 It was secretly come vnto their eare, that [etc.]. 1639 Ld. Digby Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) iv. 87 It is a farre more evident impossibility, then what you drive unto. 1683 Pennsylv. Archives I. 60, I cannot but believe y{supt} you will take my great Wrong..unto your serious consideration. 1801 Wordsw. Troilus 63 In that very place My Lady first me took unto her grace. 1838 Mrs. Browning The Sleep i, Of all the thoughts of God that are Borne inward unto souls afar. |
c. With ellipsis of verb of motion. (Cf. to prep. 1 c.)
| a 1593 Marlowe & Nashe Dido ii. i, Let vs vnto our ships,..why stay we here? 1596 Shakes. Tam. Shr. ii. i. 316, I will vnto Venice To buy apparell. 1768 Ross ‘To the Begging’ iv, I'll then unto the cobler, An' cause him sole my shoon. |
2. In the direction of; directed towards; = to prep. 2.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 10479 Sco lift hir hend vn-to þe lift, And þus to prai sco gaf a scift. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 217 Unto þe kinges partie Edward turned tite. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 8 Unto him which the heved is The membres buxom scholden bowe. Ibid. 45 Whanne I..caste up many a pitous lok Unto the hevene. 1535 Coverdale Gen. xiv. 22, I lift vp my honde vnto the Lorde. Ibid. xlix. 8 Thy fathers children shall stoupe vnto the. ? a 1600 ‘Gentle heardsman’ i. in Percy Folio (1868) III. 526 Vnto the towne of Walsingham which is the right and ready way? 1611 [see lift v. 5]. 1796 Burns ‘When Januar' wind’ iii, I bow'd fu'low unto this maid. 1858 Whittier Cable Hymn i, Lean down unto the white-lipped sea The voice of God to hear! |
| fig. 1535 Coverdale Prov. ii. 18 Hir house is enclyned vnto death, and hir pathes vnto hell. ― Dan. ix. 3, I turned me vnto God..for to praye. 1826 Scott Woodst. i, There is no light in England that shall come nigh unto it. |
b. At. (Esp. after look, † smell. Cf. to prep. 2 b.)
| a 1300– [see look v. 23]. a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts iii. 4 Peter wiþ Ioon bihelde vnto hym. c 1430 Pol., Rel. & L. Poems (1903) 180 A semeli man to ben a king, A graciouse face to loken vnto. 1535 Coverdale Bel. & Dr. 18 The kinge loked vnto y⊇ altare. 1579 Tomson Calvin's Serm. Tim. 222/2 Ministers..must marke why this office is given them;..it is not because a few should be sene vnto [= looked up to]. 1594 Hooker Eccl. Pol. ii. v. §7 God made flowers sweet and beautiful, that being seen and smelt unto they might so delight. 1670 J. Smith Eng. Improv. Reviv'd 213 The Root smelled vnto is good for the same purpose. 1848 Aird Chr. Bride ii. vii, Majestic men who looked unto the skies. |
c. In (a specified course or direction, lit. or fig.). Cf. to prep. 2 c, e.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 2117 Þis land lies mast vnto þe south. Ibid. 2120 Þe thrid part..lies mast vnto þe west. c 1386 Chaucer Miller's T. 386 [To break] an hole an heigh vp on the gable Vnto the gardynward. c 1400 Melayne 135 He sawe a bryghtenes of a beme Vp vn-to heuenwarde glyde. 1549 Coverdale, etc. Erasm. Par. Rom. Prol. + v, Such a newe herte and lusty corage vnto the lawe warde, canste thou neuer come by. |
† d. Indicating a means of access. (OE. tó and intó.) Obs.—1
| 1535 Coverdale 2 Kings iv. 5 She wente, and shut the dore vnto her with hir sonnes. |
3. Indicating the limit or dimension of a movement, extension, or continuance in space: As far as; even to; not short of; = to prep. 3.
Occas. correlative to from (the remoter of two limits).
| a 1300 Cursor M. 24346 Quen we na hele moght se on him, Fra hefd vnto þe fote. a 1325 Prose Psalter cvi. 3 Fram þe rysyng of þe sunne vnto þe goynge adoune. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 181 Mayster Wace..rymed [his romance]..vnto þe Cadwaladres. c 1400 Destr. Troy 95 All the ferlies þat fell vnto the ferre ende. c 1470 Gol. & Gaw. 1313 All thi braid landis, Or all the renttis fra thyne vnto Ronsiwall. c 1500 Melusine xxxvii. 297 He..sawe melusyne within the bathe vnto her nauell. 1535 Coverdale Exod. xxxviii. 4 A brasen gredyron of net worke rounde aboute, from vnder vp vnto the myddest of the altare. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Communion of Sick, With the firste parte of the exhortacion and all other thynges unto the Psalme. 1597 Lyly Wom. in Moon i. i, The rundle of this Massiue earth, From vtmost face vnto the Centers point. 1768 Ross Helenore 31 Ye see her rigs run just unto our ain. a 1774 Goldsm. Hist. Greece I. 223 A strong haven, with walls reaching unto the city. 1801 Wordsw. Un-to Loverd. T. 198 My throat is cut unto the bone. 1812 Cary Dante, Parad. xxii. 149 This petty area..from the havens stretched unto the hills. |
b. In figurative uses.
| 1508 Dunbar Ballad Ld. Stewart 5 Onto the sterris vpheyt is thyne honour. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xxxv. 5 Thy mercy (O Lorde) reacheth vnto the heauen. 1591 Drayton Harmonie of Church, Song Jonah 2 My voice I did extend Unto the Lord. 1609 Bp. Hall David's Psalms Metaphr. viii, Thou hast..stretcht his raigne Vnto the heards, and beasts vntame. |
4. Upon (and in contact with); on, against; = to prep. 5 a.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter cxvii. 26 Settes miri daie in thickenesse, Vnto horn þat of weued esse. c 1386 Chaucer Wife's T. 973 She leyde hir mouth vn-to the water doun. c 1440 Alph. Tales 368 Þe ymage..fell down vnto þe hard erth. 1480 Cov. Leet Bk. 447 The pepull..carryen their Donge,..& leyen hit vnto the walles & yate. 1535 Coverdale Exod. xxii. 8 He hath not put his hande vnto his neghbours good. 1550 T. Lever Serm. (Arb.) 135 Beware therefore that ye staye not your selfe vnto a bryttell staffe. 1559 Queen Elizabeth in Strype Ann. Ref. (1709) I. ii. App. x. 440 We have but a weake staff to leane unto. 1602 Marston Antonio's Rev. iv. iii, Thou bur, that only sticks Unto the nappe of greatnesse. 1607, 1624 [see lean v. 2, 2 c]. 1768 Ross Helenore 21 She..lean'd her head unto the kindly tree. 1836 R. Allan Evening Hours 98 The hope thus to press thee Unto my fond bosom. |
| fig. c 1386, c 1400 [see stand v. 76 f, g]. |
b. In contiguity or proximity to; in front of; by, close beside. Cf. to prep. 5 b.
| 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. i. ii. 91 Wilt thou flout me thus vnto my face? 1606 ― Ant. & Cl. iv. xiv. 29 What thou would'st do Is done vnto thy hand. 1677 W. Hughes Man of Sin iii. iii. 79 Which..plainly gives them the lye unto their Teeths. |
5. Expressing relative location (esp. with nigh or near).
| 1526 Tindale Mark v. 21 Iesus..was nye vnto the see. 1558 Child. Marr. 145 Nether in his house.., nether within iiij myle compas vnto the same Citie. 1600 J. Pory tr. Leo's Africa iii. 171 Neere vnto the said plaine are diuers woods. Ibid. v. 262 The citie of Tunis..hath no mountaines nigh vnto it. 1768 Ross Helenore 89 They began to speer Gin they were unto Flaviana near. |
| fig. 1526 Tindale Heb. vi. 8 But that grounde..is reproved, and is nye vnto cursynge. 1539 Bible (Great) Lev. xxv. 49 Any that is nye of kynne vnto hym. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Matt. xii. 75 b, He is moste nere and moste dere vnto me. 1785 Burns Letter to J. Goudie, Auld Orthodoxy [is]..Nigh unto death. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. 390 Death had need be near Unto such men. |
II. Indicating a temporal relationship.
6. Until (a final limit in time); till as late as; = to prep. 6 and 6 c.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 24739 All mi liue vn-to min end, In hir loueword þof i moght spend. a 1325 Prose Psalter lxxxix. 15 Lord, be þou turned vnto nov. Ibid. cxii. 2 Be þe name of our Lord blisced, nou of þis & vnto heuen. 1382 Wyclif Ps. cxii. 2 Be the name of the Lord blissid; fro this now and vnto the world. c 1386 Chaucer Man of Law's T. 765 Kepeth this child..vn to myn hoom comynge. c 1440 Alph. Tales 439 Þer devotelie he servid our Ladie vnto his lyfis ende. 1480 Cov. Leet Bk. 436 Certain Common pastures belongyng to the seid Cite vnto nowe. 1484 Caxton Fables of Alfonce ix, The wulf..hyd hym self nyghe them vnto the nyght. 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. I. lxvii. 89 The bysshoppe..toke hym as his lorde, vnto suche season as somme other shulde come. 1539 Bible (Great) Rom. v. 13 For euen vnto the lawe was synne in the worlde. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Luke xvi. 16 The law and the prophets, vnto Iohn. 1613 Acts Privy Council 4 Yow shall..keepe the same unto suche tyme as..publicacion shall [be] moved thereof. 1691 in E. Walker Epictetus (1692) A 1 b, All good and perfect Gifts..Which Mortals have from th' Womb unto the Tomb. 1801 Wordsw. Troilus 56 She..there so graciously did me behold, That hers unto the death my heart I hold. 1896 ‘Ian Maclaren’ K. Carnegie 356 Doctor Manley..praises Kate unto this day. |
7. After a negative, = until prep. 5 b.
| c 1400 Brut 322 The clergye..wolde not graunte hit vnto Ester next comyng. 1450–80 tr. Secreta Secret. lviii. 34 Shewe not thi thought vnto tyme thou performe thi wille. 1485 Caxton Paris & V. (1868) 11 Never I shal have playsyr ne Ioye unto the tyme that I knowe. 1515 in Leadam Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 88 He neuer vnto this last yere knew eny man occupye a nothur mans Craft without Interrupcion. 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse 105 Before the sonne be vnder th' Earth, which is not vnto .6. of the clocke. |
III. Expressing the relation of aim, design, destination, result, consequent status or condition.
8. In order to begin, perform, accomplish, or obtain. Cf. to prep. 8 b.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter ciii. 24 Oute sal man ga vnto his werke. 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9098 Vn-to þe karolle asswyþe he ȝede. c 1400 Destr. Troy 10734 The sun in his sercle set vnto rest. c 1440 Alph. Tales 424 In þe mornyng he went vnto his prayers. 1470–85 Malory Arthur vii. xxvi. 271 Many bold knyghtes wente vnto mete. 1587 Turberv. Trag. T. (1837) 134 The Lady, somewhat hungrie, fell unto the Cates. 1596 R. L[inche] Diella, etc. D 7, They all sat downe vnto a soone-made feast. 1768 Ross Helenore 68 Unto their supper they right yaply fa'. |
b. With a view to; for the purpose of; for. Cf. to prep. 8.
| c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. iii. 1166 This wyne al medicine is take vnto. 1486 Naval Acc. Hen. VII (1896) 10 Diuers cabilles of hym bought vnto the Kyngs use. 1487 in Nichols Illustr. Manners & Exp. (1797) 83 For hokes and hengles unto the skolehouse dore,..and for nailes to the same dore, 4½d. 1539 Cranmer Let. in Misc. Writ. (Parker Soc.) 396, I pray you that the same may be delivered unto the said Whitchurche unto printing. 1549 Thomas Hist. Italye (1561) 74 b, Vpon a very smal warnyng they [sc. galleys] may be furnyshed out vnto the sea. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Mark i. 4 Preaching the baptisme of penance vnto remission of sinnes. 1592 Warner Alb. Eng. viii. xlii. 158 Our Cattell vnto stronger draughts we..would vnteame. |
9. Indicating a condition, state, or situation, conferred or imposed upon a person. Cf. to prep. 9.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter xviii. 16 Mi helper ai he isse, And mi bier vn-to blisse. c 1400 Destr. Troy 1418 Wemyn & wale children vnto wo put. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 34 Vnto a loueable ende wiþ goddes help aboute half a ȝere I cured hym. c 1440 York Myst. xxxvii. 319 Vnto my dome I schall þame drawe, And juge þame worse þanne any Jewe. c 1529 Latimer in Foxe A. & M. (1563) 1298/2 Which vn⁓thriftye state that wee be borne vnto. 1548 in Starkey England (1878) p. xciii, If vnto Office they after bee electe. 1591 Drayton Prayer of Mardocheus iv, To destroy and bring us unto nought. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 1119 Some [traitors] they roasted, and some they put vnto the Tenalia. 1648 Wilkins Math. Magic i. xi. 75 That slavery, which those..Nations were subjected unto. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum v. 103 The Decree of Divine Reprobation..necessarily inferred Man's Fall, Sin and Damnation violenting him (as it were) unto the same. 1807 Wordsw. ‘Nuns fret not’ 8 The prison, unto which we doom Ourselves. |
10. Indicating result, effect, or consequence: So as to result in, bring about, cause, or produce; = to prep. 10.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 24746 Þof mans wijt be neuer sa strait, Sco mai well bring it vnto nait. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas ii. 2812 Senacherib..Leffte his siege & took hym onto flyht. c 1440 Alph. Tales 440 He was ferd at þai or þer fadurs shulde desyre hym to be maryd or to fall vnto syn. 1526 Tindale 1 Cor. xv. 34, I speake this vnto youre rebuke. 1591 Drayton Harmonie of Church x, They..by their sin provoke Him unto ire. 1601 Breton Longing Blessed Heart xxii, Th' Artificer..bringes his hand vnto his heads deuise, Longes till he see, what it will come vnto. 1660 Nicholas Papers (Camden) IV. 250 The unexpected..admitting to audience and afterwards vnto treatie of the Portugal ambassador. |
11. Indicating a resultant condition, status, or capacity: In or into the character, nature, or quality of; = to prep. 11, 11 b.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 772 Quat-kyn þyng may be þat lambe, Þat þe wolde wedde vnto hys vyf? 1390 Gower Conf. I. 114 This lord a worthi ladi hadde Unto his wif. c 1400 Rule St. Benet (Verse) 1374 If þat þe priores wor dede, Þo same..Wold ches me vnto priores. 1470–85 Malory Arthur i. vii. 43 We wille haue Arthur vnto our kyng. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 28 The gray freeres chaungyd their habbetts from London rossette unto whytt gray. 1590 Shakes. Mids. N. i. i. 207 (Q.), Hee hath turnd a heauen vnto a hell! 1599 Drayton Idea xlvi, I meruaile not thou feelst not my delight..Whose stomack vnto gaule hath turn'd thy foode. 1609 Bible (Douay) 2 Kings xxi. 14 And they shal be unto waste, and unto spoile to al their adversaries. 1749 C. Wesley Hymns I. 57 Turn unto Flesh my Heart of Stone. |
12. Indicating the object of desire, right, or claim. Cf. to prep. 12, 12 b.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 57 He þat had gode right vnto þe regalte. 1530 Palsgr. 538/1 By what meanes is he entyteled unto these landes. 1535 Coverdale Ps. cxviii. 20 The very feruent desyre that I haue allwaye vnto thy iudgmentes. 1593 Nashe Christ's T. 29 b, There is no better clayme vnto wealth. 1738 in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874) 42 Such personal estate as he..shall become..intitled unto. |
IV. Followed by an expression denoting or indicating a limit in extent, number, amount, or degree.
13. a. Up to as many, as much, or as often as. Cf. to prep. 13.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 12648 Ai to iesu was cummen neir Vn-to þe eild of thritte yeir. a 1325 Prose Psalter lii. 4 Þer nys non þat doþ god, þer nys non vn-to on. c 1400 Brut 295 Shippez & barges were take, vnto þe noumbre of .CC. & xxx. c 1500 Melusine xxiii. 156 There nys thing..that I shuld reffuse you vnto myn owne deth. 1526 Tindale Mark vi. 23, I will geve it the, even vnto the one halfe of my kyngdom. 1530 in Leadam Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 46 It was..unknowne what the charges..would drawe vnto. 1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, iv. i. 129 What may the Kings whole Battaile reach vnto? Vernon. To thirty thousand. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God xix. i. 752 Thus doth the number arise vnto twelve. 1663 Bp. Patrick Parab. Pilgr. xiv, There cannot be so much interruption given to them, as the scratch of a pin among us amounts unto. 1812 Cary Dante, Parad. xxiii. 57 Not..Unto the thousandth parcel of the truth, My song might shadow forth that saintly smile. 1895 Petrie Egypt. Tales Ser. i. 70 He came again unto him, even unto six times. 1896 ‘Ian Maclaren’ K. Carnegie 328 There is nothing unto life itself I would not give for your good. |
b. Down to (an ultimate grade, point, or number).
| a 1325 Prose Psalter cxxxiv. 8 Þe which..smote þe first borne of Egipt fram man vnto beste. 1515 St. Papers Hen. VIII, II. 11 The King..dyd conquyre all the lande, unto lytyll. 1535 Coverdale Exod. xxii. 4 Yf y⊇ theft be founde by him alyue (from the oxe vnto the Asse or shepe). 1592 Shakes. Rom. & Jul. i. iii. 11 Faith I can tell her age vnto an houre. a 1623 Fletcher Love's Cure v. iii, No Town in Spain, from our Metropolis Unto the rudest hovel. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 274 The whole world perished unto eight persons before the floud. |
c. So as to be equivalent or equal to. Cf. to prep. 14.
| 1568 Grafton Chron. II. 308 Three Millions of Scutes of Gold,..the which do come unto sterlyng money, fyve hundreth thousand pound. 1660 Willsford Scales Commerce i. 108 How much comes 10d. a day unto by the year? |
14. To such an extent or degree, so far, as to cause; so much as to bring about or result in; = to prep. 14 b.
| 1382 Wyclif 2 Kings xx. 1 In tho dayes sijknede Ezechias vnto [1388 til to] the deeth. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 73 Be þai brissed and boiled in watre vnto mene þikkenez. c 1425 St. Christina xvi. in Anglia VIII. 125 She was stired of god vnto an vnsufferabil þriste. c 1440 Alph. Tales 154 Þe Emperour tuke it vnto so grete wrath, þat he garte smyte of his head. Ibid. 408 He fell into a dispayre, vnto so mekull þat he myght not liff with-owten venyall syn. 1542–5 Brinklow Lament. 3 To persecute vnto dethe all and euery godly person. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xxviii. 5 Through stubbornnesse [they] harden themselues vntoo vn⁓sensiblenesse. 1611 Cotgr., Esgoüer,..to eat vnto sacietie. 1640 Bp. Reynolds Passions xv. 141 Those vanities what hee seeth doe provoke others unto loathing. 1652 Sclater Civ. Magistracy (1653) Ep. Ded., His Singular Contentation accompanyed with Temperance unto Admiration. 1812 Cary Dante, Purg. xxiv. 22 That face beyond him, pierced Unto a leaner fineness than the church. 1896 ‘Ian Maclaren’ K. Carnegie 153 [The] fields, now yellow unto harvest, shone in the moonlight. |
V. Expressing addition or accumulation, attachment, appurtenance, or possession.
15. a. Denoting attachment, union, adherence, or kinship to a person. Cf. to prep. 16.
| 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 65 Felawes vnto þefes, to robbours of ilk cuntre. Ibid. 90 With scrite vnto William Sir Dunkan him bond. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. cxxxiii, Lat wisedom ay vnto thy will be Iunyt. c 1440 Alph. Tales 219 [She] wold not be wed vnto a wurthi man þat wold hafe had hur. 1470–85 Malory Arthur x. liii. 501 A ful noble Knyghte nyghe kynne vnto sire Launcelot. 1535 Coverdale Gen. ii. 24 For this cause shal a man..cleue vnto his wife. 1544 in Leadam Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 279 Factoures vnto one Jacob vanganspole merchaunt of Andwerpe. 1591 Drayton Harmonie of Church, Song Sol. vii. 25, I am unto my Love a faithful friendly fere. 1601 Important Consid. Priests 21 Some of his own subiects were..drawne, rather to adhere vnto them then to himselfe. 1649 Lovelace Lucasta, Paradox iv, The God that constant keepes Unto his Dieties. 1658 Ibid., Sanazar 190, I was ally'd dear Uncle unto thee In blood, but thou alas not unto me. |
b. Denoting fastening, securing, or junction to something.
| 1470–85 Malory Arthur viii. xxxiv. 326 He loked vpon bothe his handes that were fast bounden vnto two knyghtes. 1535 Coverdale Gen. xlix. 11 He shall bynde his foale vnto the vyne. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. ii. 47 Two sides are washed by the sea, and the thyrd ioyneth vnto the firme land. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseud. Ep. 239 The use of the Navell is to continue the infant unto the Mother. 1662 Dryden To Ld. Chancellor 32 Nothing bounds our Eye Until the Earth seems join'd unto the Sky. a 1881 Rossetti House of Life i, Still some golden hair Unto his shoulder clinging, since the last Embrace. |
16. Denoting appurtenance or possession. Freq. after verbs, as appertain, behove, belong, long, pertain, q.v. Cf. to prep. 17, 17 b.
| 1390 Gower Conf. I. 6 The vice Which longeth unto this office. 1445 in Anglia XXVIII. 273 He þat knowith the fadirlaw vnto themperours sone. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour cxvii. 159 Suche an instrument as longithe vnto a mynstralle. 1513 Bradshaw St. Werburge i. 452 Elflede..Doughter vnto Oswy. 1568 Grafton Chron. I. 144 He was Cosyn germaine unto him on the fathers syde. 1594 Drayton Sonn. viii, Vnto the World, to Learning, and to Heauen, Three nines there are, to euerie one a nine. 1634 Bp. Reynolds Shieldes of Earth (1636) 19 This belongeth only unto Princes. 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. iii. §8 So may'st thou be..a Father unto thy contemporaries. 1768 Ross Helenore 60 Ye maun, I ween, unto the kards belang. 1845 Bailey Festus (ed. 2) 194 From this highest orb, the crown of space And footstool unto Heaven. |
17. By way of increase to; in addition to; with, besides; = to prep. 15.
| 1526 Tindale Acts ii. 41 The same daye there were added vnto them aboute a thre thousande soules. 1535 Coverdale Ecclus. xviii. 6 There maye nothinge be taken from them, nothinge maye be put vnto them. 1595 Shakes. John iv. iii. 46 This is the very top, The heighth, the Crest: or Crest vnto the Crest Of murthers Armes. 1600 ― A.Y.L. i. ii. 250, I should haue giuen him teares vnto entreaties. 1642 Denham Sophy ii. i. 18 Wisedome he ha's, and to his wisedome courage: Temper to that, and unto all, successe. 1660 Sharrock Vegetables 19 Unto the ashes of every hill [sc. heap] you must put a peck of unslake lime. 1896 ‘Ian Maclaren K. Carnegie 329 You have many friends, and may God add unto them good men and faithful. |
VI. Expressing comparison or correspondence, relation to a standard, etc.
18. After words denoting correspondence, agreement, comparison, proportion, etc. = to prep. 21.
See also like a. 1, resemble v.1 2, 6, resembling 1 b.
| c 1325 Metr. Hom. 37 For mani man mai bisend be Unto the rede, als thinc me. c 1386 Chaucer Prol. 243 Vn to swich a worthy man as he Acorded nat..To haue with sike lazars Aqueyntance. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. clv, The pantere, like vnto the smaragdyne. c 1460 Towneley Myst. iii. 506 Like vnto the turtill. 1553 Eden Treat. New Ind. (Arb.) 5 Which..he thought to be muche inferiour vnto his. 1591 Drayton Harmonie of Church, Song Sol. ii. 6 No more the sons unto my Love may ought compared be. 1611 Cotgr. s.v. Deschargé, [A colour] neere vnto a light blew, or of a light blew; light. 1634 T. Johnson Parey's Chirurg. Wks. xxiv. vi. 891 A certaine thinne skinne..like unto that..over vnscimmed milke. 1644 Digby Two Treat. ii. (1645) 67 When a thing is identifyed unto the soule [etc.]. 1809–14 Wordsw. Excurs. ix. 56 A throne that may be likened unto his. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) III. 30 The second principle is like unto it. |
19. With regard to; in respect of; as to, concerning; = to prep. 22.
| c 1400 Cursor M. 25119 (Cott. Galba), Seuin askinges er þarin to rede..both vnto lifing here a space, and whare oure sawl more mister hase. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) i. iii. C iii, And this is vnto the sygnyfycacyon of the salte. 1520 Chron. Calais (Camden) 92 And as unto ladies ther were..the duches of Norfolk, with her iij doughters. 1591 Wills & Inv. N.C. (Surtees, 1860) 199 For engrossing his will, twice vnto paipar, after vnto parchment 1l xs. 1611 Bible Rom. vi. 11 Likewise reckon yee also your selues to be dead indeed vnto sinne. 1641 J. Jackson True Evang. T. i. 3 A Commentator unto the Text askes the question. 1669 N. Morton New Eng. Memorial (1910) 46 They also brought a full intelligence in reference unto the particulars. 1729 Law Serious C. x. 147 We are to live wholly unto God. 1778 Ross Helenore 22, I ken nought unto his dispraise. 1885–94 R. Bridges Eros & Psyche Jan. xxi, Shut thy soft ear unto his clamour thin. |
20. In comparison or as compared with; in relation to; = to prep. 18.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 5600 [He] never shal make his richesse Asseth unto his gredinesse. a 1500 in Ratis Raving, etc. 4 Al his seknes [is] lytill, in comparesone one-to the luf at god schawyt till ws. 1539 Bible (Great) Matt. vi. 34 Sufficient vnto the daye, is the trauayle therof. a 1566 R. Edwards Damon & Pithias (1571) H ij b, But now I see there is no garde vnto a faithfull friend. 1682 Sir T. Browne Chr. Mor. iii. §8 So may'st thou be coetaneous unto thy elders. 1768 Ross Helenore 93 But a' their cushel-mushel was but jest, Unto the coal that brunt in Lindy's breast. 1842 Tennyson Locksley Hall 152 All thy passions, match'd with mine, Are as moonlight unto sunlight. ― Talking Oak 107 As cowslip unto oxlip is, So seems she to the boy. 1854–5 Longfellow Hiawatha's Wooing 1 As unto the bow the cord is, So unto the man is woman. |
21. In accordance, agreement, or correspondence with; according to; after; = to prep. 20.
| c 1420 Contn. Brut 340 So oure Kyng..graunted hem trewes certyn yeres vnto her axyng. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas i. 492 Whan he us made onto his liknesse, He putte vn bothe into Paradis. 1515 Festivall (W. de W.) 117 We praye you of a place to bury his body unto his worshypp. 1596 Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 613/2 Lawes ought to be fashioned unto the manners..of the people to whom they are ment. ? a 1600 in Percy Folio (1867) I. 63 Shooes of gold the porter had on, And all his other rayment was vnto the same. 1602 Shakes. Ham. i. iii. 23 Therefore must his choyce be circumscrib'd Vnto the voyce and yeelding of that Body, Whereof he is the Head. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum viii. 151 Disposing of Angels..suitably unto the Tenor of their own Actings. 1803–6 Wordsw. Ode Intim. Immort. 96 And this hath now his heart, And unto this he frames his song. 1842 Tennyson Ld. of Burleigh 80 A trouble..perplex'd her..With the burthen of an honour Unto which she was not born. 1870 Morris Earthly Par. III. 418 Meanwhile to Kiarton,..Unto all seeming, life went merrily. |
b. As far as; to the extent of. Cf. to prep. 20 b.
| 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) ii. ix. I viii, To socour our neyghbour in kepynge hym vnto our power in place and in tyme that he..falle not. 1642 tr. Perkins' Prof. Bk. iii. §205. 92 Unto divers respects a man shall take by a liverie of seisin which he made in his owne right. |
VII. Expressing relations in which the idea of course or direction tends to blend with the dative use.
22. After words denoting attention, care, trust, etc.; = to prep. 24.
Freq. after verbs, as apply, attend, betake, hearken, intend, listen, look: see these words.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 255 To laud and Inglis man i spell..Sumquat vnto þat thing to tent. c 1386 Chaucer Sqr.'s T. 67 Vn to my firste I wole haue my recours. c 1440 Alph. Tales 446 He fell vnto his prayers. 1455 Paston Lett. I. 326 Not to plese to geve trust or confidence unto the sinistrez..rapportes of our sayd ennemyes. c 1477 Caxton Jason 20 My herte Iugeth that ye shall haue grete Regard vnto my good wil. 1535 Coverdale Ps. xvi. 1 Herken vnto my prayer. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xviii. 21 The castle..hath been so ill looked vnto..it is againe fallen into the hands of the Barbaries. 1613 Jackson Creed i. §iv. i. 219 Whose beleefe vnto diuine Oracles hath beene confirmed. 1642 Remonstr. Ch. Irel. 5 He wanted powder, having no more..than his Bandeleers to trust unto. 1656 Earl of Monmouth tr. Boccalini's Advts. fr. Parnass. i. xlvii. 95 Flocks..grow lean..through the meer carelesness of him that looks unto them. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum v. 104 It was..Man alone, voluntarily hearkening unto Satan. 1812 Cary Dante, Parad. v. 119 Say on; and trust As unto gods. |
23. Against, in respect of opposition or hostility. Cf. to prep. 25 b.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter liii. 5 Torne iuels vnto mi faas. a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts iv. 1 As þei stoden..þer kome fallande vnto hem prestes..ande Saduceys. 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy iv. 2452 Archilogus A mortal cours ran vn-to Brumvs. 1439 Rolls of Parlt. V. 17/2 Phelip..hath contynuelly..made werre unto the seide John. a 1450 Knt. de la Tour 120 So it befell he had do a forfeit vnto the kinge Dauid. 1585 T. Washington tr. Nicholay's Voy. i. xvii. 19 b, [They] dyd daily make warre vnto his highnesse. 1591 Shakes. 1 Hen. VI, iv. i. 73 Then gather strength, and march vnto him straight. |
24. Indicating the person addressed, etc.; = to prep. 26. Usu. after verbs, as cry, say, speak, tell.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter xxvi. 6 (E.), I sall synge and salm sai Un-to-Loverd. Ibid. xc. 15 He cried vnto me witerli. 1338 R. Brunne Chron. (1810) 99 Lowys wrote his letter vnto þe kyng Henry. 1390 Gower Conf. I. 282 To speak a goodli word unto me. c 1440 Alph. Tales 122 Þis suster said vnto hur brother. c 1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Aug. 5 The book of Seynt Augustin..on-to his sistir, a widow. 1477 Stonor Papers (Camden) II. 28, I spake vnto my lady.., and she wold scarsely oppyn hir mouthe vnto me. 1511 in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 2 The mayer answered aȝen onto the forsayd John. 1535 Coverdale Deut. xxxii. 46 Y⊇ wordes, which I testifye vnto you this daye. 1569 Southampton Crt. Leet Rec. (1905) I. 56 Be yt comaunded vnto all those..that they make chimnes. 1610 J. Healey St. Aug. Citie of God xvii. v. 628 These words of the Prophet vnto Heli. 1643 Caryl Expos. Job I. 635 Would you know what the visiting of God is? It is praying unto him. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum vi. 112 Some special One of their Number intimateth the great News unto the Shepherds. 1768 Ross Helenore 101 The squire well saw't, an' unto Lindy says [etc.]. 1844 Whittier Texas 32 Let the North unto the South Speak the word befitting both. 1896 ‘Ian Maclaren’ K. Carnegie 328 John,..is this all you have in your heart to say unto me? |
b. To or for the worship of; in honour, adoration, or salutation of; = to prep. 26 b.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter lxv. 15 Offrand meryhed, gode þat be, Sal I offre unto þe. a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts xxi. 25 Demande þat þei abstene hem fro þinge þat es sacrified vnto idoles. 1430–40 Lydg. Bochas viii. 552 Egipciens dide..Ther sacrefises & rihtes.. Vnto Isis. c 1440 Pallad. on Husb. i. 1178 Laude, ymne,..& songe vnto The flour of Iesse spronge in Bethleem. 1526 Tindale Acts xvii. 23, I founde an aultre wher in was written: vnto the vnknowen god. 1598 Lodge Looking-Gl. Lond. & Eng. H 2 b, Villaines, why skinck you not vnto this fellow? 1599 Shakes. Much Ado v. iii. 22 Now vnto thy bones good night. 1615 W. Bedwell Arab. Trudg. L 1, Aba' lkibla, was an idoll..which..the Arabians did..offer sacrifice vnto. 1842 Macaulay L. Regillus ii, Unto the Great Twin Brethren We keep this solemn feast. 1882 Bible (R.V.) Exod. xxxii. 8 They have made them a molten calf,..and have sacrificed unto it. |
25. Expressing or denoting response, responsive action, or reaction. = to prep. 27, 27 b.
Freq. with assent, consent, obey, etc. (q.v.).
| c 1440 Alph. Tales 448 He wolde not consent vnto hur to ly by hur. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) i. ii. 12 Whan Adam & eue..dysobeyed unto God. 1518 in Leadam Star Chamber Cases (Selden) II. 148 The said bille is vncerteyn and insufficient to be aunswerd vnto. 1576 Gascoigne Steel Glas (Arb.) 59 To yeld good smacke vnto their daintie tongues. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxii. §13 Nature as much as is possible inclineth vnto validities and preseruations. 1612 Drayton Poly-olb. iv. 175 Some..only us'd to sing Unto the other's harp. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum vii. 140 To say Amen, unto Isaiahs Description of our Lord. 1768 Ross Helenore 88 Afore mishap had forc'd him to comply Unto a match. 1881 N. T. (Revised) Luke xiv. 6 They could not answer again unto these things. |
VIII. Supplying the place of, assuming or taking over the functions of, the dative.
26. Denoting the recipient of a gift or the like, or the person affected by an event, etc. = to prep. 29.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter ciii. 22 Lyoun whelpes..seke fra god mete vnto þa. c 1380 Antecrist in Todd 3 Treat. Wyclif 134 Þei putten grete penaunce unto men, þere Cristis charge is liȝt. 1426 in Surtees Misc. (1890) 10 Þe charge.. þat is put vnto me. c 1440 Alphabet of Tales 207 He putt þaim [sc. his goods] vnto þe bisshopp. c 1470 Henry Wallace i. 447 Syluir and gold he gert on to him geyff. 1532 G. Hervet Xenoph. Househ. 32 b, As for suche thynges,..we deliuered them vnto a woman. 1581 in Lanc. & Cheshire Wills (1893) 3 I geue and bequeath vnto Richard..tenne shepe. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 726 Deliuering vnto him a verge of gold. 1678 Bunyan Pilgr. i. 168 This could not but be a great grief unto him. 1695 in Jrnl. Friends' Hist. Soc. Oct. (1915) 173 She hath borne unto mee three sonnes. c 1708 Fenton First Fit of Gout 19 Whence comes this unsought honour unto me? 1768 Ross Helenore 9 Nory..a glack of bread an' cheese..unto Lindy gees. 1814 Cary Dante, Inf. xxiii. 5 He told What fate unto the mouse and frog befel. 1829 in Nairne Peerage Evid. (1874) 76 We are graciously pleased to give and allow unto Caroline baroness Nairn an annuity. a 1865 Emerson Woodnotes ii. 342 Unto every race and age He emptieth the beverage. |
b. Indicating the recipient of an impression, the holder of an opinion or the like; used esp. after verbs, as appear, seem, † think, etc. Cf. to prep. 29 b.
| a 1470 Harding Chron. (MS. Lansd.) Pref. vi, If it lyke vn to ȝour owne avyse..To Comforte now..Ȝour pore subgite. 1526 Tindale Luke xxiv. 11 Their wordes semed vnto them fayned thinges. 1599 Shakes. Much Ado iii. v. 55, I am now in great haste, as may appeare vnto you. 1611 Speed Hist. Gt. Brit. ix. xviii. §29 It was thought vnto the Protector, and vnto the whole Councell, that [etc.]. a 1613 Bacon Case Post-nati Scot. Wks. 1826 V. 116 For it seemeth admirable unto me, to consider [etc.]. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum viii. 147 One Attribute seemeth more Dear unto him than another. |
27. For the advantage, benefit, convenience, use, or disposal of; for. Cf. to prep. 30.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter lxx. 8 In þe ai alle mi singinge. Made am i als fortakeninge Vnto mani. a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts ii. 41 Ande þat day weren wonnen vnto God ande turned abowte þreo þowsande. 1539 Bible (Great) Gen. iii. 21 Unto the same Adam also and to his wife dyd the Lorde God make lethren garmentes. 1591 Drayton Harmonie of Church, Song Sol. v. 15 Then opened I the door unto my Love at last. 1613 Heywood Silver Age i. i. B 3, Expose thy selfe Vnto that monstrous beast of Cicily, Cal'd the Chimera. 1664 Butler Hud. ii. i. 616 By which Astrologers..can tell What strange Events they do foreshow Unto her Under-world below. a 1678 H. Scougal Disc. Imp. Subj. (1735) 179 A happiness we can never secure unto our selves. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. 178 An opportunity..to Vindicate another great Man, unto the Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. a 1714 in Ledwich Antiq. Sarisb. 6 Therein you may find many an excellent Lore That unto your Wives you may teach. a 1784 Hobie Noble i. in Child Ball., For in it there was baith meat and drink, And corn unto our geldings gay. 1816 Wordsw. Ode, 1814, 51 Those palms and amaranthine wreaths Unto their martyred Countrymen decreed. 1891 Cornh. Mag. Dec. 664 He took unto himself a village maid, and settled in Lyndhurst. |
b. Indicating the person or thing towards which an action, feeling, etc., is directed; = to prep. 30 b.
Freq. with beholden, † holden (hold v. 10 b), recommend, etc.
| a 1300 E.E. Psalter xviii. 13 And fra outen..Forbere vnto þi hine ai. 13.. Cursor M. 1069 (Gött.), Vnto his broþer ire he bare. a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts xxvi. 27 Ande þo kenge Agrippa trowes vnto þo prophetes. c 1440 Alph. Tales 103 He askid hym whi he wuld not ryse vnto hym. c 1465 Stonor Papers (Camden) I. 70 Y weir be-hold unto yow. 1508 Kennedie Flyting w. Dunbar 482 Lat newir this synfull sot Do schame..vnto your nacion! 1555 in Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. Var. Coll. IV. (1907) 283 The leke paines..shall ronne and be unto all those free Burgesses. 1587 in Cath. Rec. Soc. Publ. V. 137 Goolde..referred me over unto Mr. Baylye to be payed upon youre head. 1623 in Eng. Hist. Rev. July (1919) 408 Delivered to St. Raby..as a present..without any fees or charge unto him. 1654–66 Earl of Orrery Parthen. (1676) 378 More from a desire of being alone, than from any aversion she seem'd to have unto it. 1710 Blackwell Schema Sacrum vii. 130 Our Lord..having all their Iniquities..imputed unto him. 1763 C. Smart Song to David lxxiv, Sweeter [is]..The glory of thy gratitude, Respired unto the Lord. 1796 F. Burney Camilla IV. 169 The Lord be good unto me! 1803 C. K. Sharpe Lett. (1888) I. 165 If Jane hath done this fault, woe be unto her! 1887 E. Johnson Antiq. Mater. 251 Your unslothful love unto the glory of God. |
28. Denoting the relation of an adj. (or derived n. or adv.) to a n. indicating a person or thing to which its application is directed or restricted. = to prep. 33.
Used in construction with many adjs.; cf. to prep. 33, and see merciful a., open a. 15, subject a., true a. 1 c, unkindfully a., untolerable a., etc.
| 1300 Gower Conf. II. 285 Hast thou be scars or large of yifte Unto thi love? c 1407 Lydg. Reson & Sens. 948 The which..wern..vn-to manne ryght vayllable. c 1450 Crt. Of Love 14, I can-not write Unto the princes..No termes digne unto her excellence. 1485 Digby Myst. iii. 8, I am soveren of al soverens subjugal On-to myn empere. 1526 Tindale Acts xxvi. 19, I was not disobedient vnto the hevenly vysion. 1593 in J. Morris Troub. Cath. Forefathers Ser. iii. (1877) 124 Yet their life-labour is..costly unto us. 1639 S. Du Verger tr. Camus' Admir. Events 301 A torture unsufferable unto this young gentlewoman. 1669 Owen Exp. Ps. cxxx, 15 Vnspiritedness and disability unto Duty, in doing or suffering. a 1687 Petty Pol. Arith. (1690) 72 It will be dangerous unto England, that Ireland should be in the Hands of any other Nation. 1795–6 Wordsw. Borderers 2168, I (so filled With horror is this world) am unto thee The thing most precious that it now contains. 1801 ― Troilus & Cresida 83 So cruel do not be Unto the blood of Troy,..As Juno was unto the Theban blood. |
b. After known, unknown, † uncouth, † unwist, † unwitting, etc.; = to prep. 33 b.
In later use (esp. in or after Biblical usage) with known.
| a 1400 New Test. (Paues) Acts xix. 17 Þis was made knowne vnto alle þe Iewes. 1423 Jas. I Kingis Q. lxiii, Quhen sall ȝour merci rew vpon ȝour man, Quhois seruice is ȝit vncouth vnto ȝow? 14.. Hoccleve Minor P. 231/418 How [we] thidir come, vn-to vs vnwist. c 1440 Generydes 3396 Vppe they rose,..And chaungyd horses onto them bothe vnknowyng. 1514 Barclay Cyt. & Uplondyshman (Percy Soc.) 32 Seth God wyll be unknowen unto us. 1556 Chron. Grey Friars (Camden) 17 The othe that he made un to the kynge of Ynglonde unwyttynge unto the pope. 1605 Shakes. Lear i. iv. 224 By making this well knowne vnto you. 1795–6 Wordsw. Borderers 628 If compassion..Be known unto you. 1843 ― G. Darling 7 One..Known unto few but prized as far as known. |
IX. † 29. = to with the infinitive. Obs.
| c 1352 Minot Poems (ed. Hall) v. 25 King Edward vnto sail was ful sune dight. a 1400 Northern Passion 461 (Camb. MS. Gg 5. 31), Þare come downe a aungell..Vnto comforthe ihesu well still. ? 1481 Cely Papers (Camden) 203 Any thing that I cane do unto ples ye. |
B. conj. † a. = until conj. a. Also (a) with that.
| (a) a 1300 E.E. Psalter xciii. 15 (H.), For Laverd sal noght his folke schonne awai, Ne his heritage for-lete never a dai; Unto þat rihtnes be turned in dome with quert. a 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 61 Þe pacient ow to abide still in þe watre, vnto þat þe blode..chaunge into fairer colour. c 1475 Partenay 4132 In thys place abide vnto that ye see Ho bering hym best and ho better haue. 1556 Chron. Gr. Friars (Camden) 19 A gret multytude..there abode seven dayes contynually unto that the kynge..came..toward Grenewich. |
| (b) 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9055 Þys songe sunge þey yn þe chercheȝerd..Vn-to þe matynes were alle done. c 1381 Chaucer Parl. Foules 647 Almyghty queen vnto this ȝer be gon I axe respit. 1411 E.E. Wills (1882) 20 Also y wille..þat lucie my wyf have gouernauns þer-of..vn-to þe forseyd william be of age xviij. ȝhere. c 1489 Caxton Sonnes of Aymon ix. 223 They wente to bed, & slepte vnto the daye appered. 1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 2 b, It is & euer shall be vnquiet, vnto I come to the. 1549 Wills & Inv. N.C. (Surtees, 1860) 132, I give vnto my wife my house vnto my boy be of xxiiij yeirs of age. 1572 L. Mascall Plant. & Graff. (1592) 52 The which may also keepe vnto the new come againe. |
† b. = until conj. b. Also with that. Obs.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5994 Here synne shal noþer be forȝyuen ne slakyn Vn-to þey ȝelde þat þey haue takyn. c 1400 Northern Passion (H.) 958 Þe men þan letted for no thing Vnto þai come to herod. c 1425 in Anglia VIII. 139/46 She..hadde no reste in spirite, vnto she hadde made a-seth. c 1457 Stonor Papers (Camden) I. 53, I can..not gefe hym no comfort onto that I have wurd fro yowr maistership. 1502 Ord. Crysten Men (W. de W. 1506) i. ii, None were baptysed vnto that y{supt} he were suffycyentlye cathecysed. 1535 Bp. Tunstall in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) I. App. lix. 147 The commissioners..occupied the said auditors so long, that unto they were dispatched we could not have them [etc.]. 1573 J. Tyrie Refutation Pref. 6 Wnto he proue that he defendes that same caus,..he will neuer caus me to beleue nor graunt that [etc.]. |
† c. So that at length; = until conj. e. Obs.
| a 1395 Hylton Scala Perf. i. xci. (W. de W. 1494), My dere chyldern whyche I bere..vnto cryste be ayenshapen in you. c 1400 tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 84 Alle þes þinges shal be vpon þe fyr all a nyght and a day, vnto all þayre stryngh be out passyd. c 1425 tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula, etc. 73 Boile it agayne vnto it be ane vntement haldyng fast ynoȝ. 1502 W. Atkynson tr. De Imitatione iii. xii. (1893) 207 This sensuall appetite is to be subdued..vnto it haue lerned to be content with fewe thynges. 1541 R. Copland Guydon's Quest. Chirurg. Q j b, Apply vpon it a maturatife..vnto the scar be fallen. |
† d. = until conj. d. Obs.
| 1490 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 100, I thinke long unto I here word from you. |
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Add: [A.] [VIII.] [27.] c. [After a law unto himself: see law n.1 16 a.] unto oneself: all by oneself, without the assistance or presence of any other.
| 1643 T. Browne Relig. Med. i. 117 Every devill is an hell unto himselfe: hee..needs not the misery of circumference to afflict him. a 1930 D. H. Lawrence Compl. Poems (1964) II. 951 Under it all, underneath Is rock And each man a rock unto himself. 1951 H. Zimmer Philos. India 509 ‘The Big Ferryboat’.., the ferry in which all may ride, in contrast to ‘The Little Ferryboat’.., the way of those lonely ones, ‘lights unto themselves’. 1983 W. Weaver tr. Eco's Name of Rose 226 ‘But whose side was Dolcino on?’ ‘I do not know; he was a faction unto himself.’ |