What is "to"

Constable \Con"sta*ble\ (k[o^]n"st[.a]*b'l or k[u^]n"st[.a]*b'l), n. [OE. conestable, constable, a constable (in sense 1), OF. conestable, F. conn['e]table, LL. conestabulus, constabularius, comes stabuli, orig., count of the stable, master of the horse, equerry; comes count (L. companion) + L. stabulum stable. See Count a nobleman, and Stable.]

1. A high officer in the monarchical establishments of the Middle Ages.

   Note: The constable of France was the first officer of the crown, and had the chief command of the army. It was also his duty to regulate all matters of chivalry. The office was suppressed in 1627. The constable, or lord high constable, of England, was one of the highest officers of the crown, commander in chief of the forces, and keeper of the peace of the nation. He also had judicial cognizance of many important matters. The office was as early as the Conquest, but has been disused (except on great and solemn occasions), since the attainder of Stafford, duke of Buckingham, in the reign of Henry VIII.

2. (Law) An officer of the peace having power as a conservator of the public peace, and bound to execute the warrants of judicial officers.
   --Bouvier.

   Note: In England, at the present time, the constable is a conservator of the peace within his district, and is also charged by various statutes with other duties, such as serving summons, precepts, warrants, etc. In the United States, constables are town or city officers of the peace, with powers similar to those of the constables of England. In addition to their duties as conservators of the peace, they are invested with others by statute, such as to execute civil as well as criminal process in certain cases, to attend courts, keep juries, etc. In some cities, there are officers called high constables, who act as chiefs of the constabulary or police force. In other cities the title of constable, as well as the office, is merged in that of the police officer.

   High constable, a constable having certain duties and powers within a hundred. [Eng.]

   Petty constable, a conservator of the peace within a parish or tithing; a tithingman. [Eng.]

   Special constable, a person appointed to act as constable of special occasions.

   To overrun the constable, or outrun the constable, to spend more than one's income; to get into debt. [Colloq.]
   --Smollett.

Foot \Foot\ (f[oo^]t), n.; pl. Feet (f[=e]t). [OE. fot, foot, pl. fet, feet. AS. f[=o]t, pl. f[=e]t; akin to D. voet, OHG. fuoz, G. fuss, Icel. f[=o]tr, Sw. fot, Dan. fod, Goth. f[=o]tus, L. pes, Gr. poy`s, Skr. p[=a]d, Icel. fet step, pace measure of a foot, feta to step, find one's way. [root]77, 250. Cf. Antipodes, Cap-a-pie, Expedient, Fet to fetch, Fetlock, Fetter, Pawn a piece in chess, Pedal.]

1. (Anat.) The terminal part of the leg of man or an animal; esp., the part below the ankle or wrist; that part of an animal upon which it rests when standing, or moves. See Manus, and Pes.

2. (Zo["o]l.) The muscular locomotive organ of a mollusk. It is a median organ arising from the ventral region of body, often in the form of a flat disk, as in snails. See Illust. of Buccinum.

3. That which corresponds to the foot of a man or animal; as, the foot of a table; the foot of a stocking.

4. The lowest part or base; the ground part; the bottom, as of a mountain, column, or page; also, the last of a row or series; the end or extremity, esp. if associated with inferiority; as, the foot of a hill; the foot of the procession; the foot of a class; the foot of the bed;; the foot of the page.

   And now at foot Of heaven's ascent they lift their feet.
   --Milton.

5. Fundamental principle; basis; plan; -- used only in the singular.

   Answer directly upon the foot of dry reason.
   --Berkeley.

6. Recognized condition; rank; footing; -- used only in the singular. [R.]

   As to his being on the foot of a servant.
   --Walpole.

7. A measure of length equivalent to twelve inches; one third of a yard. See Yard.

   Note: This measure is supposed to be taken from the length of a man's foot. It differs in length in different countries. In the United States and in England it is 304.8 millimeters.

8. (Mil.) Soldiers who march and fight on foot; the infantry, usually designated as the foot, in distinction from the cavalry. ``Both horse and foot.''
   --Milton.

9. (Pros.) A combination of syllables consisting a metrical element of a verse, the syllables being formerly distinguished by their quantity or length, but in modern poetry by the accent.

10. (Naut.) The lower edge of a sail. Note: Foot is often used adjectively, signifying of or pertaining to a foot or the feet, or to the base or lower part. It is also much used as the first of compounds. Foot artillery. (Mil.)

    1. Artillery soldiers serving in foot.

    2. Heavy artillery. --Farrow. Foot bank (Fort.), a raised way within a parapet. Foot barracks (Mil.), barracks for infantery. Foot bellows, a bellows worked by a treadle. --Knight. Foot company (Mil.), a company of infantry. --Milton. Foot gear, covering for the feet, as stocking, shoes, or boots. Foot hammer (Mach.), a small tilt hammer moved by a treadle. Foot iron.

       1. The step of a carriage.

       2. A fetter. Foot jaw. (Zo["o]l.) See Maxilliped. Foot key (Mus.), an organ pedal. Foot level (Gunnery), a form of level used in giving any proposed angle of elevation to a piece of ordnance. --Farrow. Foot mantle, a long garment to protect the dress in riding; a riding skirt. [Obs.] Foot page, an errand boy; an attendant. [Obs.] Foot passenger, one who passes on foot, as over a road or bridge. Foot pavement, a paved way for foot passengers; a footway; a trottoir. Foot poet, an inferior poet; a poetaster. [R.] --Dryden. Foot post.

          1. A letter carrier who travels on foot.

          2. A mail delivery by means of such carriers. Fot pound, & Foot poundal. (Mech.) See Foot pound and Foot poundal, in the Vocabulary. Foot press (Mach.), a cutting, embossing, or printing press, moved by a treadle. Foot race, a race run by persons on foot. --Cowper. Foot rail, a railroad rail, with a wide flat flange on the lower side. Foot rot, an ulcer in the feet of sheep; claw sickness. Foot rule, a rule or measure twelve inches long. Foot screw, an adjusting screw which forms a foot, and serves to give a machine or table a level standing on an uneven place. Foot secretion. (Zo["o]l.) See Sclerobase. Foot soldier, a soldier who serves on foot. Foot stick (Printing), a beveled piece of furniture placed against the foot of the page, to hold the type in place. Foot stove, a small box, with an iron pan, to hold hot coals for warming the feet. Foot tubercle. (Zo["o]l.) See Parapodium. Foot valve (Steam Engine), the valve that opens to the air pump from the condenser. Foot vise, a kind of vise the jaws of which are operated by a treadle. Foot waling (Naut.), the inside planks or lining of a vessel over the floor timbers. --Totten. Foot wall (Mining), the under wall of an inclosed vein. By foot, or On foot, by walking; as, to pass a stream on foot. Cubic foot. See under Cubic. Foot and mouth disease, a contagious disease (Eczema epizo["o]tica) of cattle, sheep, swine, etc., characterized by the formation of vesicles and ulcers in the mouth and about the hoofs. Foot of the fine (Law), the concluding portion of an acknowledgment in court by which, formerly, the title of land was conveyed. See Fine of land, under Fine, n.; also Chirograph. (b). Square foot. See under Square. To be on foot, to be in motion, action, or process of execution. To keep the foot (Script.), to preserve decorum. ``Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God.'' --Eccl. v. 1. To put one's foot down, to take a resolute stand; to be determined. [Colloq.] To put the best foot foremost, to make a good appearance; to do one's best. [Colloq.] To set on foot, to put in motion; to originate; as, to set on foot a subscription. To put one on his feet, or set one on his feet, to put one in a position to go on; to assist to start. Under foot.

             1. Under the feet; (Fig.) at one's mercy; as, to trample under foot.
                --Gibbon.

             2. Below par. [Obs.] ``They would be forced to sell . . . far under foot.''
                --Bacon.

To \To\ (?, emphatic or alone, ?, obscure or unemphatic), prep. [AS. t[=o]; akin to OS. & OFries. t[=o], D. toe, G. zu, OHG. zuo, zua, z[=o], Russ. do, Ir. & Gael. do, OL. -do, -du, as in endo, indu, in, Gr. ?, as in ? homeward. [root]200. Cf. Too, Tatoo a beat of drums.]

1. 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. ``To Canterbury they wend.''
   --Chaucer.

   Stay with us, go not to Wittenberg.
   --Shak.

   So to the sylvan lodge They came, that like Pomona's arbor smiled.
   --Milton.

   I'll to him again, . . . He'll tell me all his purpose. She stretched her arms to heaven.
   --Dryden.

2. 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.

   Note: Formerly, by omission of the verb denoting motion, to sometimes followed a form of be, with the sense of at, or in. ``When the sun was [gone or declined] to rest.''
   --Chaucer.

3. 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.

   Marks and points out each man of us to slaughter.
   --B. Jonson.

   Whilst they, distilled Almost to jelly with the act of fear, Stand dumb and speak not to him.
   --Shak.

   Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
   --2 Pet. i. 5,6,7.

   I have a king's oath to the contrary.
   --Shak.

   Numbers were crowded to death.
   --Clarendon.

   Fate and the dooming gods are deaf to tears.
   --Dryden.

   Go, buckle to the law.
   --Dryden.

4. 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).

   Then longen folk to go on pilgrimages, And palmers for to seeken strange stranders.
   --Chaucer.

   Note: Such usage is now obsolete or illiterate. In colloquial usage, to often stands for, and supplies, an infinitive already mentioned; thus, he commands me to go with him, but I do not wish to.

5. In many phrases, and in connection with many other words, to has a pregnant meaning, or is used elliptically. Thus, it denotes or implies:

   1. Extent; limit; degree of comprehension; inclusion as far as; as, they met us to the number of three hundred.

      We ready are to try our fortunes To the last man.
      --Shak.

      Few of the Esquimaux can count to ten.
      --Quant. Rev.

   2. Effect; end; consequence; as, the prince was flattered to his ruin; he engaged in a war to his cost; violent factions exist to the prejudice of the state.

   3. Apposition; connection; antithesis; opposition; as, they engaged hand to hand.

      Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.
      --1 Cor. xiii. 12.

   4. Accord; adaptation; as, an occupation to his taste; she has a husband to her mind.

      He to God's image, she to his was made.
      --Dryden.

   5. Comparison; as, three is to nine as nine is to twenty-seven; it is ten to one that you will offend him.

      All that they did was piety to this.
      --B. Jonson.

   6. Addition; union; accumulation.

      Wisdom he has, and to his wisdom, courage.
      --Denham.

   7. Accompaniment; as, she sang to his guitar; they danced to the music of a piano.

      Anon they move In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood Of flutes and soft recorders.
      --Milton.

   8. Character; condition of being; purpose subserved or office filled. [In this sense archaic] ``I have a king here to my flatterer.''
      --Shak.

      Made his masters and others . . . to consider him to a little wonder.
      --Walton.

      Note: To in to-day, to-night, and to-morrow has the sense or force of for or on; for, or on, (this) day, for, or on, (this) night, for, or on, (the) morrow. To-day, to-night, to-morrow may be considered as compounds, and usually as adverbs; but they are sometimes used as nouns; as, to-day is ours.

      To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow; Creeps in this petty pace from day to day.
      --Shak.

      To and again, to and fro. [R.]

      To and fro, forward and back. In this phrase, to is adverbial.

      There was great showing both to and fro.
      --Chaucer.

      To-and-fro, a pacing backward and forward; as, to commence a to-and-fro.
      --Tennyson.

      To the face, in front of; in behind; hence, in the presence of.

      To wit, to know; namely. See Wit, v. i.

      Note: To, without an object expressed, is used adverbially; as, put to the door, i. e., put the door to its frame, close it; and in the nautical expressions, to heave to, to come to, meaning to a certain position. To, like on, is sometimes used as a command, forward, set to. ``To, Achilles! to, Ajax! to!''
      --Shak.

Old English to "in the direction of, for the purpose of, furthermore," from West Germanic *to (cognates: Old Saxon and Old Frisian to, Dutch too, Old High German zuo, German zu "to"), from PIE pronomial base *do- "to, toward, upward" (cognates: Latin donec "as long as," Old Church Slavonic do "as far as, to," Greek suffix -de "to, toward," Old Irish do, Lithuanian da-), from demonstrative *de-.\n

\nNot found in Scandinavian, where the equivalent of till (prep.) is used. In Old English, the preposition (go to town) leveled with the adverb (the door slammed to) except where the adverb retained its stress (tired and hungry too); there it came to be written with -oo (see too).\n

\nThe nearly universal use of to with infinitives (to sleep, to dream, etc.) arose in Middle English out of the Old English dative use of to, and it helped drive out the Old English inflectional endings (though in this use to itself is a mere sign, without meaning).\n

\nCommonly used as a prefix in Middle English (to-hear "listen to," etc.), but few of these survive (to-do, together, and time references such as today, tonight, tomorrow -- Chaucer also has to-yeere). To and fro "side to side" is attested from mid-14c. Phrase what's it to you "how does that concern you?" (1819) is a modern form of an old question:\n\nHuæd is ðec ðæs?\n

[John xxi:22, in Lindisfarne Gospel, c.950]

adv. 1 Toward a closed, touching or engaging position. 2 (context nautical English) Into the wind. 3 (misspelling of too English) part. (non-gloss definition: A particle used for marking the following verb as an infinitive.) prep. 1 (non-gloss definition: Indicating destination:) In the direction of, and arriving at. 2 (non-gloss definition: Used to indicate purpose.) 3 (non-gloss definition: Used after certain adjectives to indicate a relationship.) 4 (non-gloss definition: Indicating a necessity.) 5 (non-gloss definition: Used to indicate result of action.) 6 (non-gloss definition: Used after an adjective to indicate its application.) 7 (context arithmetic English) (non-gloss definition: Used to indicate ratios; in informal use the ratios are not reduced to smallest terms.)