to

[[t]tu[/t]] unstressed [[t]tʊ, tə[/t]]

prep.

1) (used for expressing motion or direction toward a place, person, or thing approached and reached):

Come to the house[/ex]

2) (used for expressing motion or direction toward something):

from north to south[/ex]

3) (used for expressing limit of movement or extension):

He grew to six feet[/ex]

4) (used for expressing a point of limit in time) before; until:

ten minutes to six[/ex]

5) (used for expressing destination or appointed end):

sentenced to jail[/ex]

6) (used for expressing a resulting state or condition):

He tore it to pieces[/ex]

7) (used for expressing the object of inclination or desire):

They drank to her health[/ex]

8) (used for expressing the object of a right or claim):

claimants to an estate[/ex]

9) (used for expressing limit in degree, condition, or amount):

wet to the skin[/ex]

10) (used for expressing comparison or opposition):

inferior to last year's crop[/ex]

11) (used for expressing agreement or accordance) according to; by:

a room to your liking[/ex]

12) (used for expressing reference, reaction, or relation):

What will he say to this?[/ex]

13) (used for expressing a relative position):

parallel to the roof; the woman standing to the left of the car[/ex]

14) (used for expressing a proportion) in; making up:

12 to the dozen[/ex]

15) (used for indicating the indirect object of a verb or for connecting a verb with its complement):

Give it to me[/ex]

16) (used as the ordinary sign of the infinitive, as in expressing motion, direction, or purpose.)

17) math. Math. raised to the power indicated: Three to the fourth is 81 (34= 81)

18) toward a point, person, place, or thing

19) toward a closed position:

Pull the door to[/ex]

20) toward a matter, action, or work

21) into a state of consciousness:

after he came to[/ex]

•

- to and fro

Etymology: bef. 900; ME, OE tō, c. OFris, OS tō, OHG zō, zuo