prep. 到, 向, 趋于

adv. 向前

prep. 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.

prep. 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.

prep. 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.

prep. 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).

prep. In many phrases, and in connection with many other words, to

has a pregnant meaning, or is used elliptically.

prep. Extent; limit; degree of comprehension; inclusion as far as;

as, they met us to the number of three hundred.

prep. 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.

prep. Apposition; connection; antithesis; opposition; as, they

engaged hand to hand.

prep. Accord; adaptation; as, an occupation to his taste; she has

a husband to her mind.

prep. Comparison; as, three is to nine as nine is to twenty-seven;

it is ten to one that you will offend him.

prep. Addition; union; accumulation.

prep. Accompaniment; as, she sang to his guitar; they danced to

the music of a piano.

prep. Character; condition of being; purpose subserved or office

filled.