Of

/əv/ (weak), /ʌv/ (strong) preposition

Definition

Used to show belonging, connection, amount, or what something is made from or about.

Etymology

From Old English "of" meaning "away from, away," related to German "ab." Over time, its meaning shifted from separation to a wide range of relationships and possession.

Kelly Says

Even though "of" is tiny, English leans on it constantly to glue ideas together: "part of," "kind of," "made of." Its original sense of "away from" still peeks through in phrases like "robbed of" or "deprived of."

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