without Meaning, Definition & Usage

With*out" preposition

Etymology

OE. withoute, withouten, AS. withtan; with with, against, toward + tan outside, fr.t out. See With, prep., Out.

Definitions

1. On or at the outside of; out of; not within; as, without doors.

   Without the gate Some drive the cars, and some the coursers rein. Dryden.

2. Out of the limits of; out of reach of; beyond.

   Eternity, before the world and after, is without our reach. T. Burnet.

3. Not with; otherwise than with; in absence of, separation from, or destitution of; not with use or employment of; independently of; exclusively of; with omission; as, without labor; without damage.

   I wolde it do withouten negligence. Chaucer.

   Wise men will do it without a law. Bacon.

   Without the separation of the two monarchies, the most advantageous terms . . . must end in our destruction. Addison.

   There is no living with thee nor without thee. Tatler.

With*out" conjunction

Definitions

1. Unless; except; -- introducing a clause.

   You will never live to my age without you keep yourselves in breath with exercise, and in heart with joyfulness. Sir P. Sidney.

   ✍ Now rarely used by good writers or speakers.

With*out" adverb

Definitions

1. On or art the outside; not on the inside; not within; outwardly; externally.

   Without were fightings, within were fears. 2 Cor. vii. 5.

2. Outside of the house; out of doors.

   The people came unto the house without. Chaucer.