of^*ʌv, ɒv; unstressed əv or, esp. before consonants, ə(prep.)

1. (used to indicate distance or direction from, separation, deprivation, etc.):

   within a mile of the house; robbed of one's money.

2. (used to indicate derivation or origin):

   the songs of Gershwin.

3. (used to indicate cause or reason):

   dead of hunger.

4. (used to indicate material, substance, or contents):

   a dress of silk; a book of poems.

5. (used to indicate apposition or identity):

   a genius of a pilot.

6. (used to indicate possession or association):

   property of the church.

7. (used to indicate inclusion in a number, class, or whole):

   one of us.

8. (used to indicate the object of the action noted by the preceding noun, verb, or adjective):

   the ringing of bells; to write of home; tired of working.

9. (used to indicate qualities or attributes):

   a woman of courage.

10. (used to indicate a specified time):

    They arrived of an evening.

11. before the hour of; until:

    ten minutes of one.

    Category: Dialect

12. on the part of:

    It was nice of you to come.

13. set aside for or devoted to:

    a minute of prayer.

14. Archaic. by:

    consumed of worms.

^* Usage: of with an adjective after the adverb how or too is largely characteristic of informal speech: How long of a drive will it be? It's too hot of a day for tennis. This is often criticized in more formal situations. See also couple, off.

Origin of of:

bef. 900; ME, OE: of, off; c. G ab, L ab, Gk apó

of^*əv

1. have: He should of asked me.

   Ref: Compare a4.

^* auxiliary v. Nonstandard..

of-

1. var. of ob- (by assimilation) before

   f: offend.

   Category: Affix

OF

1. Old French.

   Category: Peoples