Definition and Meaning of TO

to means :

• See under Compound, v. t.
• The preposition to primarily indicates approach and arrival, motion made in the direction of a place or thing and attaining it, access; and also, motion or tendency without arrival; movement toward; -- opposed to from.
• Hence, it indicates motion, course, or tendency toward a time, a state or condition, an aim, or anything capable of being regarded as a limit to a tendency, movement, or action; as, he is going to a trade; he is rising to wealth and honor.
• In a very general way, and with innumerable varieties of application, to connects transitive verbs with their remoter or indirect object, and adjectives, nouns, and neuter or passive verbs with a following noun which limits their action. Its sphere verges upon that of for, but it contains less the idea of design or appropriation; as, these remarks were addressed to a large audience; let us keep this seat to ourselves; a substance sweet to the taste; an event painful to the mind; duty to God and to our parents; a dislike to spirituous liquor.
• In many phrases, and in connection with many other words, to has a pregnant meaning, or is used elliptically.
• Extent; limit; degree of comprehension; inclusion as far as; as, they met us to the number of three hundred.
• 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.
• Apposition; connection; antithesis; opposition; as, they engaged hand to hand.
• Accord; adaptation; as, an occupation to his taste; she has a husband to her mind.
• Comparison; as, three is to nine as nine is to twenty-seven; it is ten to one that you will offend him.
• Addition; union; accumulation.
• Accompaniment; as, she sang to his guitar; they danced to the music of a piano.
• Character; condition of being; purpose subserved or office filled.