On

prep. [A-S. on, an, ō, ā, O. Sax. & O. Fries. an, D. aan, Goth. & O. H. Ger. ana, M. H. Ger. ane, N. H. Ger. an, Icel. á, Sw. å, allied to Gr. ἀνά, Slav. na.]

1. At, or in contact with, the surface or upper part of a thing, and supported by it; placed or lying in contact with the surface; as, my book is on the table; the table stands on the floor; the house rests on its foundation; we lie on a bed, or stand on the earth.
2. Toward and to the surface of;—used to indicate the motion of a thing as coming or falling to the surface of another; as, rain falls on the earth.

Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken. Matt. xxi. 44.

3. Upon;—denoting the performing or acting by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of any thing; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a harp, a violin, or a drum; to play on a piano.
4. In addition to; besides; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss.
5. At or near;—indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast; the island is situated on the coast of England; on each side stands an armed man, that is, at or near each side; Philadelphia is situated on the Delaware.
6. In dependence or reliance upon; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground of any thing; as, he will covenant on certain considerations or conditions, the considerations being the support of the covenant.
7. At or in the time of; as, on the Sabbath we abstain from labor.

☛ It is usual to say, at the hour, on or in the day, in or on the week, month, or year.

8. At the time of, with some reference to cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform.
9. Toward; for;—indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. “Hence, on thy life.” Dryden.
11. By virtue of; with the pledge of;—denoting a pledge or engagement, or put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
12. To the account of;—denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame.
13. In consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
14. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality.

☛ Upon is used in the same sense with on, often with elegance, but frequently without necessity or advantage. On a sudden, suddenly.—On fire, in a state of burning, or inflammation; and, metaphorically, in a rage or passion.—On high, in an elevated place; sublimely.—On it, on’t, of it. [Colloq. and vulgar.]—On the alert, in a state of vigilance or activity.—On the way, on the road, proceeding, traveling, journeying, or making progress.—On the wing, in flight; flying; hence, departing.