Longfellow.
2. 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.
Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken.
Matt. xxi. 44.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. In addition to; besides; -- indicating multiplication or succession
in a series; as, heaps on heaps; mischief on mischief; loss on loss;
thought on thought. Shak.
6. 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.
7. At or in the time of; during; as, on Sunday we abstain from labor.
See At (synonym).
8. 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.
9. Toward; for; -- indicating the object of some passion; as, have pity
or compassion on him.
10. At the peril of, or for the safety of. "Hence, on thy life."
Dryden.
11. 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.
12. 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.
His blood be on us and on our children.
Matt. xxvii. 25.
13. In reference or relation to; as, on our part expect punctuality; a
satire on society.