Definition of on:

• pain; force; iniquity
• the son of Peleth and one of the chiefs of the tribe of Reuben, who took part with Korah, Dathan and Abiram in their revolt against Moses. ( Numbers 16:1 ) ( B.C. 1491.) His name does not again appear in the narrative of the conspiracy, nor is he alluded to when reference is made to the final catastrophe.
• To or against 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.
• At or near; adjacent to; -- indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
• In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
• Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
• By virtue of; with the pledge of; -- denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
• To the account of; -- denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
• Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.
• ( abode or city of the sun ), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in ( Jeremiah 43:13 ) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave " to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On." ( Genesis 41:45 ) comp. ver, Genesis41:60 and Genesis46:20 ( On is to be remembered not only as the home of Joseph, but as the traditional place to which his far-off namesake took Mary and the babe Jesus in the flight to Egypt. The two famous obelisks, long called " Cleopatras Needles," one of which now stands in London and the other in Central Park in New York city, once stood before this city, and were seen by the children of Israel before the exodus, having been quarried at Syene on the Nile, erected at On ( Heliopolis) by Thothmes III., B.C. 1500, and inscriptions added by Rameses II. ( Sesostris) two hundred years later. They were taken to Alexandria by Augustus Caesar A.D. 23, from which they were removed to their present places. -- ED.)
• light; the sun, ( Genesis 41:45 Genesis 41:50 ), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh ( Jeremiah 43:13 ) and Aven ( Ezekiel 30:17 ), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have " Heliopolis" (" city of the sun") instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The " city of destruction" Isaiah speaks of ( 19:18 , marg. " of Heres;" Heb. ' Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., " city of the sun") may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the " city of the sun-god" shall become the " city of destruction" of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship of the true God be established. In ancient times this city was full of obelisks dedicated to the sun. Of these only one now remains standing. " Cleopatra's Needle" was one of those which stood in this city in front of the Temple of Tum, i.e., " the sun." It is now erected on the Thames Embankment, London. " It was at On that Joseph wooed and won the dark-skinned Asenath, the daughter of the high priest of its great temple." This was a noted university town, and here Moses gained his acquaintance with " all the wisdom of the Egyptians."
• One; they.
• The general signification of on is situation, motion, or condition with respect to contact or support beneath
• 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, the book lies on the table, which stands on the floor of a house on an island.
• Denoting performance or action by contact with the surface, upper part, or outside of anything; hence, by means of; with; as, to play on a violin or piano. Hence, figuratively, to work on one's feelings; to make an impression on the mind.
• Indicating dependence or reliance; with confidence in; as, to depend on a person for assistance; to rely on; hence, indicating the ground or support of anything; as, he will promise on certain conditions; to bet on a horse.
• At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor. See At ( synonym).
• At the time of, conveying some notion of cause or motive; as, on public occasions, the officers appear in full dress or uniform. Hence, in consequence of, or following; as, on the ratification of the treaty, the armies were disbanded.
• At the peril of, or for the safety of.
• In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a satire on society.
• Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are on duty; on a journey.
• In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a newspaper; on a committee.
• Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the grandson, and so on.
• In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take your ease; say on; sing on.
• Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use.
• In progress; proceeding; as, a game is on.
• To or against 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.
• At or near; adjacent to; - indicating situation, place, or position; as, on the one hand, on the other hand; the fleet is on the American coast.
• In addition to; besides; - indicating multiplication or succession in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss; thought on thought.
• Toward; for; - indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity or compassion on him.
• By virtue of; with the pledge of; - denoting a pledge or engagement, and put before the thing pledged; as, he affirmed or promised on his word, or on his honor.
• To the account of; - denoting imprecation or invocation, or coming to, falling, or resting upon; as, on us be all the blame; a curse on him.
• Forward, in progression; onward; - usually with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on.
• Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, He is neither on nor off, that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
• Upon; as, to sit on a chair; in contact with the upper surface; as, we live on the earth; along or by; as, Paris is on the Seine; in the act or state of; as, on a journey; toward; as, he looked on her as his guide; in connection with; as, to go on business; showing the relation of following after; as, they are on his trail; in the direction of; as, the door opens on a lawn; about; as, an address on war; indicating time; as, on July first; resting against; as, a picture on the wall; supported by; as, on my honor.
• In contact with the upper part of: to and towards the surface of: upon or acting by contact with: not off: at or near: at or during: in addition to: toward, for: at the peril of: in consequence: immediately after: ( B.) off.
• In of into contact with the top of; by means of.
• Close behind.
• Directed toward.
• In the act of.
• Comprised in.
• In reference to.
• In a state of.
• Being in contact with the upper part of a thing; upon; at; or near.
• Of.
• Above, and in contact with the upper surface of a thing; not off; upon; at or near; denoting dependence or reliance; denoting nearness or closeness; denoting addition or accumulation.
• An incalculable period of time; an age; eternity.
• A word of excitement or encouragement to attack or advance; a contraction for go on.
• indicates continuity or persistence or concentration; " his spirit lives on"; " shall I read on?"
• in a state required for something to function or be effective; " turn the lights on"; " get a load on" is slang for" drink enough to become intoxicated"
• Forward; onward; along; as, to go on; so as to cover or be supported by; as, put on your coat; jump on before the train starts; in or into action or use; as, to turn on the gas; in progress; as, the fight is on.
• Above, or next beyond: forward, in succession: in continuance: not off.
• So as to cover, overspread, of adhere.
• Forward; ahead.
• Forward; onward; not off.
• Forward in progression; in continuance; without ceasing; opposed to off; on a sudden, suddenly.
• ( of events) planned or scheduled; " the picnic is on, rain or shine"; " we have nothing on for Friday night"
• in operation or operational; " left the oven on"; " the switch is in the on position"
• Go on! proceed!.
• Forward; not off.
• In contact with the upper part of; at; during; to; with; for; upon; by; after.

Usage examples for on

1. I want very much to see what you will have to say on the Substanzbegriff!  The Letters of William James, Vol. II by William James

2. But I'm on to you, Wade.  The Mysterious Rider by Zane Grey

3. But- She could not go on.  East Lynne by Mrs. Henry Wood

4. He'd put Oklahomaw on to you, he said.  Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher by Eleanor Gates