Or have we eaten on the insane root That takes the reason prisoner?
Shak.
Instances of this usage are common in our older writers, and are
sometimes now heard in illiterate speech.
15. Occupied with; in the performance of; as, only three officers are
on duty; on a journey.
16. In the service of; connected with; of the number of; as, he is on a
newspaper; on a committee.
On and upon are in general interchangeable. In some applications upon
is more euphonious, and is therefore to be preferred; but in most cases
on is preferable.
On a bowline. (Naut.) Same as Closehauled. -- On a wind, or On the wind
(Naut.), sailing closehauled. -- On a sudden. See under Sudden. -- On
board, On draught, On fire, etc. See under Board, Draught, Fire, etc.
-- On it, On't, of it. [Obs. or Colloq.] Shak. -- On shore, on land; to
the shore. -- On the road, On the way, On the wing, etc. See under
Road, Way, etc. -- On to, upon; on; to; -- sometimes written as one
word, onto, and usually called a colloquialism; but it may be regarded
in analogy with into.
They have added the -en plural form on to an elder plural.
Earle.
We see the strength of the new movement in the new class of
ecclesiastics whom it forced on to the stage.
J. R. Green.
On, adv. [See On, prep.] 1. Forward, in progression; onward; -- usually
with a verb of motion; as, move on; go on. "Time glides on." Macaulay.
The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
Shak.
2. Forward, in succession; as, from father to son, from the son to the
grandson, and so on.
3. In continuance; without interruption or ceasing; as, sleep on, take
your ease; say on; sing on.
4. Adhering; not off; as in the phrase, "He is neither on nor off,"
that is, he is not steady, he is irresolute.
5. Attached to the body, as clothing or ornament, or for use. "I have
boots on." B. Gonson.
He put on righteousness as a breastplate.
Is. lix. 17.