01 adv. In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in a position or r…
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1.
In its original and strict sense, out means from the interior of something; beyond the limits or boundary of somethings; in a position or relation which is exterior to something; -- opposed to in or into. The something may be expressed after of, from, etc. (see Out of, below); or, if not expressed, it is implied; as, he is out; or, he is out of the house, office, business, etc.; he came out; or, he came out from the ship, meeting, sect, party, etc.
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2.
Away; abroad; off; from home, or from a certain, or a usual, place; not in; not in a particular, or a usual, place; as, the proprietor is out, his team was taken out. Opposite of in.“He hath been out (of the country) nine years.” — Shak.
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3.
Beyond the limits of concealment, confinement, privacy, constraint, etc., actual or figurative; hence, not in concealment, constraint, etc., in, or into, a state of freedom, openness, disclosure, publicity, etc.; a matter of public knowledge; as, the sun shines out; he laughed out, to be out at the elbows; the secret has leaked out, or is out; the disease broke out on his face; the book is out.“Leaves are out and perfect in a month.” — Bacon.“She has not been out [in general society] very long.” — H. James.
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4.
Beyond the limit of existence, continuance, or supply; to the end; completely; hence, in, or into, a condition of extinction, exhaustion, completion; as, the fuel, or the fire, has burned out; that style is on the way out.“Deceitful men shall not live out half their days.” — Ps. iv. 23.“When the butt is out, we will drink water.” — Shak.
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5.
Beyond possession, control, or occupation; hence, in, or into, a state of want, loss, or deprivation; -- used of office, business, property, knowledge, etc.; as, the Democrats went out and the Whigs came in; he put his money out at interest.“I have forgot my part, and I am out.” — Shak.
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6.
Beyond the bounds of what is true, reasonable, correct, proper, common, etc.; in error or mistake; in a wrong or incorrect position or opinion; in a state of disagreement, opposition, etc.; in an inharmonious relation.“Wicked men are strangely out in the calculating of their own interest.” — South.“Very seldom out, in these his guesses.” — Addison.
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7.
Not in the position to score in playing a game; not in the state or turn of the play for counting or gaining scores.
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8.
Out of fashion; unfashionable; no longer in current vogue; unpopular.“Three fishers went sailing out into the west, Out into the west, as the sun went down.” — C. Kingsley.
Phrases & compounds
Day in, day out —
from the beginning to the limit of each of several days; day by day; every day.
Out at —
elliptical phrases, that to which out refers as a source, origin, etc., being omitted; as, out (of the house and) at the barn; out (of the house, road, fields, etc., and) in the woods.
Out of —
a phrase which may be considered either as composed of an adverb and a preposition, each having its appropriate office in the sentence, or as a compound preposition. Considered as a preposition, it denotes, with verbs of movement or action, from the interior of; beyond the limit: from; hence, origin, source, motive, departure, separation, loss, etc.; -- opposed to in or into; also with verbs of being, the state of being derived, removed, or separated from. Examples may be found in the phrases below, and also under Vocabulary words; as, out of breath; out of countenance.
Out of cess —
beyond measure, excessively.
Out of character —
unbecoming; improper.
Out of conceit with —
not pleased with. See under Conceit.
Out of date —
not timely; unfashionable; antiquated.
Out of door —
beyond the doors; from the house; not inside a building; in, or into, the open air; hence, figuratively, shut out; dismissed. See under Door, also, Out-of-door, Outdoor, Outdoors, in the Vocabulary.
Out of favor —
disliked; under displeasure.
Out of frame —
not in correct order or condition; irregular; disarranged.
Out of hand —
immediately; without delay or preparation; without hesitation or debate; as, to dismiss a suggestion out of hand.
Out of harm's way —
beyond the danger limit; in a safe place.
Out of joint —
not in proper connection or adjustment; unhinged; disordered.
Out of mind —
not in mind; forgotten; also, beyond the limit of memory; as, time out of mind.
Out of one's head —
beyond commanding one's mental powers; in a wandering state mentally; delirious.
Out of one's time —
beyond one's period of minority or apprenticeship.
Out of order —
not in proper order; disarranged; in confusion.
Out of place —
not in the usual or proper place; hence, not proper or becoming.
Out of pocket —
in a condition of having expended or lost more money than one has received.
Out of print —
not in market, the edition printed being exhausted; -- said of books, pamphlets, etc.
Out of the question —
beyond the limits or range of consideration; impossible to be favorably considered.
Out of reach —
beyond one's reach; inaccessible.
Out of season —
not in a proper season or time; untimely; inopportune.
Out of temper —
not in good temper; irritated; angry.
Out of time —
not in proper time; too soon, or too late.
Out of time —
not in harmony; discordant; hence, not in an agreeing temper; fretful.
Out of twist —
not in warped condition; perfectly plain and smooth; -- said of surfaces.
Out of use —
not in use; unfashionable; obsolete.
Out of the way —
On one side; hard to reach or find; secluded.
Out of the woods —
not in a place, or state, of obscurity or doubt; free from difficulty or perils; safe.
Out to out —
from one extreme limit to another, including the whole length, breadth, or thickness; -- applied to measurements.
To put out of the way —
to kill; to destroy.
Week in, week out —
See Day in, day out (above).