Of
323. The original meaning of of was separation or source, like
_from_. The various uses are shown in the following examples:--
I. The _From_ Relation.
(1) _Origin or source._
The king holds his authority _of_ the people.--MILTON.
Thomas à Becket was born _of_ reputable parents in the city of
London.--HUME.
(2) _Separation_:
(_a_) After certain verbs, such as
_ease_,
_demand_,
_rob_,
_divest_,
_free_,
_clear_,
_purge_,
_disarm_,
_deprive_,
_relieve_,
_cure_,
_rid_,
_beg_,
_ask_, etc.
Two old Indians cleared the spot _of_ brambles, weeds, and
grass.--PARKMAN.
Asked no odds _of_, acquitted them _of,_ etc.--ALDRICH.
(_b_) After some adjectives,
--_clear of_,
_free of_,
_wide of_,
_bare of_, etc.;
especially adjectives and adverbs of direction, as
_north of_,
_south of_, etc.
The hills were bare _of_ trees.--BAYARD TAYLOR.
Back _of_ that tree, he had raised a little Gothic chapel.
--GAVARRE.
(_c_) After nouns expressing lack, deprivation, etc.
A singular want _of_ all human relation.--HIGGINSON.
_(d)_ With words expressing distance.
Until he had come within a staff's length _of_ the old dame.
--HAWTHORNE
Within a few yards _of_ the young man's hiding place.--_Id._
(3) _With expressions of material_, especially _out of_.
White shirt with diamond studs, or breastpin _of_ native
gold.--BANCROFT.
Sandals, bound with thongs _of_ boar's hide.--SCOTT
Who formed, _out of_ the most unpromising materials, the finest
army that Europe had yet seen.--MACAULAY
(4) _Expressing cause, reason, motive._
The author died _of_ a fit of apoplexy.--BOSWELL.
More than one altar was richer _of_ his vows.--LEW WALLACE.
"Good for him!" cried Nolan. "I am glad _of_ that."--E.E. HALE.
(5) _Expressing agency._
You cannot make a boy know, _of_ his own knowledge, that Cromwell
once ruled England.--HUXLEY.
He is away _of_ his own free will.--DICKENS
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