along

/euh lawng", euh long"/, prep.

1. through, on, beside, over, or parallel to the length or direction of; from one end to the other of: to walk along a highway; to run a border along a shelf.

2. during; in the course of: Somewhere along the way I lost my hat.

3. in conformity or accordance with: I plan to revise the article along the lines suggested.

adv.

4. by the length; lengthwise; parallel to or in a line with the length or direction: He ran along beside me.

5. with a progressive motion; onward: The police ordered the line to move along.

6. (of time) some way on: along toward evening.

7. in company; in agreement (usually fol. by with): I'll go along with you. He planned the project along with his associates.

8. as a companion; with one: She took her brother along.

9. from one person or place to another: The order was passed along from the general to the captain and from the captain to a private.

10. at or to an advanced place or state: Work on the new ship is quite far along.

11. as an accompanying item; on hand: Bring along your umbrella.

12. all along, all the time; throughout: I knew all along that it was a lie.

13. along of, Chiefly Southern U.S. and Brit. Dial.

a. owing to; because of: We weren't invited, along of your rudeness.

b. in company with: You come along of me to the store.

14. be along, Informal. to arrive at a place; come: They should be along soon.

15. get along. See get (def. 33).

[bef. 900; ME; OE andlang, equiv. to and- (c. OS, ON and-, Goth and(a)-, OHG ant-, prefix with orig. sense "facing"; cf. ANSWER) + lang LONG¹]

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