Shak.
Numbers were crowded to death.
Clarendon.
Fate and the dooming gods are deaf to tears.
Dryden.
Go, buckle to the law.
Dryden.
4. As sign of the infinitive, to had originally the use of last
defined, governing the infinitive as a verbal noun, and connecting it
as indirect object with a preceding verb or adjective; thus, ready to
go, i.e., ready unto going; good to eat, i.e., good for eating; I do my
utmost to lead my life pleasantly. But it has come to be the almost
constant prefix to the infinitive, even in situations where it has no
prepositional meaning, as where the infinitive is direct object or
subject; thus, I love to learn, i.e., I love learning; to die for one's
country is noble, i.e., the dying for one's country. Where the
infinitive denotes the design or purpose, good usage formerly allowed
the prefixing of for to the to; as, what went ye out for see? (Matt.
xi. 8).
Then longen folk to go on pilgrimages, And palmers for to seeken
strange stranders.
Chaucer.
Such usage is now obsolete or illiterate. In colloquial usage, to often
stands for, and supplies, an infinitive already mentioned; thus, he
commands me to go with him, but I do not wish to.
5. In many phrases, and in connection with many other words, to has a
pregnant meaning, or is used elliptically. Thus, it denotes or implies:
(a) Extent; limit; degree of comprehension; inclusion as far as; as,
they met us to the number of three hundred.
We ready are to try our fortunes To the last man.
Shak.
Few of the Esquimaux can count to ten.
Quant. Rev.
(b) Effect; end; consequence; as, the prince was flattered to his ruin;
he engaged in a war to his cost; violent factions exist to the
prejudice of the state. (c) Apposition; connection; antithesis;
opposition; as, they engaged hand to hand.
Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.