About

Almost or approximately; near in time, quantity, number, quality or degree. The import of the qualifying word "about" is simply, that the actual quantity is a near approximation to that mentioned, and its effect is to provide against accidental variations; Norrington v. Wright, 115 U. S. 188, 8 Sup. Ct. 12, 29 L. Ed. 500. When there is a material and valuable variation, a court of equity upon a petition for specific performance will give the word its proper effect; Stevens v. McKnight, 40 Ohio St. 341. In a charter party "about to sail" imports just ready to sail; [1893] 2 Q. B. 271. ABOUTISSEMENT (Fr.). An abuttal or abutment. See Guyot, Report. Univ. Aboutissims.