ofprep.[AS. of of, from, off; akin to D. & OS. af, G. ab off, OHG. aba from, away, Icel., Dan., Sw., & Goth. af, L. ab, Gr. , Skr. apa. Cf. Off, A- (2), Ab-, After, Epi-.] In a general sense, from, or out from; proceeding from; belonging to; relating to; concerning; -- used in a variety of applications; as:()1. Denoting that from which anything proceeds; indicating origin, source, descent, and the like; as, he is of a race of kings; he is of noble blood.()That holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke i. 35.)I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you. (1 Cor. xi. 23.)2. Denoting possession or ownership, or the relation of subject to attribute; as, the apartment of the consul: the power of the king; a man of courage; the gate of heaven.(Macaulay.)3. Denoting the material of which anything is composed, or that which it contains; as, a throne of gold; a sword of steel; a wreath of mist; a cup of water.()4. Denoting part of an aggregate or whole; belonging to a number or quantity mentioned; out of; from amongst; as, of this little he had some to spare; some of the mines were unproductive; most of the company.()It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed. (Lam. iii. 22.)It is a duty to communicate of those blessings we have received. (Franklin.)5. Denoting that by which a person or thing is actuated or impelled; also, the source of a purpose or action; due to; as, they went of their own will; no body can move of itself; he did it of necessity.()For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. (Josh. xi. 20.)6. Denoting reference to a thing; about; concerning; relating to; as, to boast of one's achievements; they talked of many things.()Knew you of this fair work? (Shak.)7. Denoting nearness or distance, either in space or time; from; as, within a league of the town; within an hour of the appointed time.()8. Denoting identity or equivalence; -- used with a name or appellation, and equivalent to the relation of apposition; as, the continent of America; the city of Rome; the Island of Cuba.()9. Denoting the agent, or person by whom, or thing by which, anything is, or is done; by.()And told to her of [by] some. (Chaucer.)He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all. (Luke iv. 15.)[Jesus] being forty days tempted of the devil. (Luke iv. 1, 2.)()10. Denoting relation to place or time; belonging to, or connected with; as, men of Athens; the people of the Middle Ages; in the days of Herod.()11. Denoting passage from one state to another; from.(Milton.)12. During; in the course of.()Not be seen to wink of all the day. (Shak.)My custom always of the afternoon. (Shak.)()()Of consequence, of importance, value, or influence. -- Of late, recently; in time not long past. -- Of old, formerly; in time long past. -- Of one's self, by one's self; without help or prompting; spontaneously.
[1913 Webster]
Why, knows not Montague, that of itself
England is safe, if true within itself? Shak.()