Among

adv. and prep. Forms: 1 on ʓemonge, on ʓemang(e, 1–2 onmang(e, 1–6 amang(e (north. after 3), 2–6 amonge, 2– among, 6– ’mong. North. 4 omang, 4– amang. Also 2 enmang, 4–5 emang, 5 in mange, emonge, 5–6 emong. See IMONG. [orig. a phrase, on in + ʓemang mingling, assemblage, crowd (f. ʓemengan to mingle, combine: see MENG); hence, with a sb. in the genitive, ‘in the assemblage or company of,’ then used prepositionally with dat. or acc. Bef. 1100, the full on ʓemang(e was reduced to onmang, whence by regular phonetic gradation amang, among. The simple ʓemang was also used prepositionally without on, giving later ymong, IMONG, MONG. Between among and imong, thus used side by side, arose emong. Modern poets also abbreviate among to ’mong. There was a parallel BIMONG.]

  A.  prep.

  Prim. sign. In the mingling or assemblage of; hence, surrounded by and associated with.

  (Cf. Amid, -st, sometimes loosely used instead)

  Passage from phrase to preposition:—

a. 1000.  Elene (Grein), 103. On feonda ʓemang [= in the company of the enemies]; Metr. Ps. lxxxi. 1. God mihtiȝ stod godum on ʓemonge [= the good among, in company with the good].

  I.  Of relation between object and objects.

  1.  Of the local relation of a thing (or things) to several surrounding objects with which it is grouped: Surrounded by locally. (With pl. sb.)

a. 1000.  Metr. Ps. xxv. 9. Ne forleos mine sawle onʓemang þam arleasum.

c. 1000.  Ags. Gosp., Matt. x. 16. Swa sceap ʓemang wulfas [Lindisf. in middum vel inmong; Rushw. in midde].

c. 1160.  Hatton G., ibid. Swa scep onmang wulfen.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 195. Alse shep amang wulfes.

1250.  Lay., 17742. Com vt … among alle his cnihtes.

c. 1300.  Pop. Sc. (Wright), 133. Among all the planetes the sonne a-midde is.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Troylus, IV. 697. The body sate amange hem there.

1382.  Wyclif, Matt. xiii. 7. Other seedis felden amonge thornis.

1535.  Coverdale, Gen. iii. 8. Amonge the trees of the garden.

1605.  Verstegan, Dec. Intell., i. (1628), 6. To run up and downe one among another like madmen.

1613.  Shaks., Hen. VIII., V. ii. 18. To make me wait at doore … ’Mong Boyes, Groomes, and Lackeyes.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 6, ¶ 6. The Lacedemonians rose up … and … received him among them.

1842.  Longf., Slave’s Dream, iii. He saw once more his dark-eyed queen Among her children stand. Ibid. (c. 1842), Bridge, vi. Like those waters rushing Among the wooden piers.

  β.  (See also EMONG.)

1375.  Barbour, Bruce, X. 709. He emang his fayis al Defendit him full douchtely.

c. 1460.  Towneley Myst., 22. Emang both more and myn.

1592.  Davies, Astræa, in Chalmers’ Eng. Poets, V. 101/2. Fair month … Emong thy days her birthday is.

  b.  Among the hands of: under the charge of, while being treated or attended to by, (Fr. entre les mains de). Obs. or dial.

1483.  Caxton, Gold. Leg., 97/3. He deyed sodaynly emong the handes of the sergeans.

1534.  Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), E vj b. They that haue the charge of a prince … haue amonge theyr handes, hym that afterwarde oughte to gouerne.

1535.  Coverdale, Jer. xviii. 4. The vessel that the Potter made of claye brake amonge his hondes.

  Mod. north.  The work that we have among our hands, i.e., with which we are engaged.

  2.  Of the relation of a thing (or things) to the whole surrounding group or composite substance: Surrounded by the separate components or particles of. (With collectives, and sing. names of substances; with the latter in is often substituted.)

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 43. Þe leit a-monge þunre.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 15367. Siþþen don þeȝȝ falls annd flærd Amang þe gode lare.

c. 1300.  Pop. Sc. (Wright), 135. Whan hit cometh among the fur.

c. 1384.  Chaucer, H. of Fame, 1687. A potful of bawme … Amonge a basket ful of roses.

1535.  Fisher, Wks. (1883), 437. This multitude, amonge whiche our sauiour Christe was.

1697.  Dampier, Voy. (1729), I. 235. Vinello’s … are much used among Chocolate to perfume it.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 431, ¶ 3. A … Stone, which I found among the gravel.

1810.  Scott, Lady of L., III. xi. Among the bubbling blood.

1851.  Longf., Gold. Leg., 165. We were among the crowd that gathered there.

  3.  Of the relation of anything in a local group to the other members of the group, although these do not actually surround it; as of an individual to the other members of the same community: In company, association, communion, or residence with or beside; in the house, city, or country of. (= L. apud, Fr. chez, Ger. bei.)

c. 1175.  Lamb. Hom., 19. He com among us.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 299. Hæfedd preost Amang Iudisskenn þeode.

c. 1230.  Ancr. R., 158. Ich wunie among men.

c. 1250.  Gen. & Ex., 700. Cristes helpe be us amonge!

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VII. 45. Otho regnede among Duchesmen [apud Teutonicos].

1535.  Coverdale, Judg. i. The Cananites dwelt among them at Gaser.

1711.  Steele, Spect., No. 156, ¶ 3. We have several of these irresistible Gentlemen among us when the Company is in Town.

1756.  Burke, Vind. Nat. Soc., Wks. I. 32. The whim and caprice of one ruling man among them.

1807.  Crabbe, Par. Reg., I. 478. Susan … had some pride Among our topmost people to preside.

  4.  Of the relation of a thing to others in the same nominal or logical group: In the number or class of.

1297.  R. Glouc., 393. Roberd Courtehese þuderward hys herte caste … among oþere gode knyȝtes.

1340.  Ayenb., 103. Amang alle þe heȝe names of oure lhorde þis is þe uerste.

c. 1340.  Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 6551. Omang alle þat þar has bene sene, I fynde wryten paynes fourtene.

1398.  Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XIII. i. (1495), 438. Amonge all elementes water is prouffytablest.

1477.  Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 1. Among other ther was … in my companye a worshipful gentylman.

1665.  Manley, Grotius’s L.-Contr.-Warrs, 297. Many were wounded, among whom was Count William.

1777.  Hume, Ess. & Treat., I. 86. Among the other excellencies of man.

1792.  G. Wakefield, Mem., I. 529. My poetical taste is among the most fastidious.

1849.  Sir J. Stephen, Eccl. Biog., I. 111. It is among the mysteries which we are bound to revere.

  b.  esp. of things distinguished in kind from the rest of the group: Preeminent among, as distinguished from, in comparison with, above the others.

c. 1230.  Ancr. R., 2. Moni cunne riwle beoð, auh tuo beoð among alle þet ich chulle speke of.

c. 1375.  in Rel. Ant., I. 40. As the male … among trees of wodes, So is my derlyng among sones.

1382.  Wyclif, Luke i. 28. Blessid be thou among wymmen! [Ags. on wifum].

a. 1450.  York Myst. Pewterers, F j. In mange al othir ane bare I.

1523.  Ld. Berners, Froissart, I. cccli. 564. Your folkes haue brent my house, the whiche I loued among all other.

c. 1590.  Marlowe, Faustus, 149. Mong which, as chief, Faustus, we come to thee.

Mod.  She is one among many. He is a Saul among the people.

  II.  Of the relation of a predicable (attribute, action, event) to things or circumstances.

  † 5.  Of the relation of a fact or event to the circumstances that surround it; esp. (in early usage) to the time during or in course of which it happens. Obs.

c. 1075.  O. E. Chron. (Laud. MS.), an. 1002. On ʓemang þysum ofsloh Leofsiʓ … þæs cynges heah ʓerefan. Ibid., an. 1052. Þa amang þison þa wearð Godwine eorl ʓewarnod. Ibid. (1131), an. 1127. Ofslaʓen on ane circe … amang þane messe. Ibid. (1154), an. 1135. En-mang þis was his nefe cumen to Engle-land.

1250.  Lay., 18174. Amang þis motinge Merlyn atwende.

c. 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 2240. Omang his grete anguys, Hym þai sal tak.

1475.  Caxton, Jason, 12 b. Among these thinges during these triews the king of sklauonye sente his propre messager. Ibid. (1483), Gold. Leg., 155/1. Saynt ambrose … gaue up his ghoost emonge the wordes of his prayers.

1528.  Gardiner, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., I. lii. 137. Among all which requests nothing certain is proponed.

a. 1691.  Baxter, in Tulloch, Eng. Purit., iii. 306. I never went to any place among all my life … which I had before … thought of.

  † b.  Hence conj. phr. among that: during the time that, whilst. Obs.

a. 1075.  O. E. Chron. (Laud. MS.), an. 1046. Amanʓ þam þe hi ridon. Ibid. (c. 1123), an. 1105. Onmang þam þe he þær wunode.

c. 1200.  Trin. Coll. Hom., 183. Among þat þe sowle witeð . þe licame worpeð hewe.

  6.  Of the relation of any action or attribute pervading a group to the members of the group: With or by (the members of a group) generally.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 2350. Nass þatt næfre fundenn ær Amang wimmenn onn eorþe.

1250.  Lay., 29590. Amang the king his cnihtes me cleope[de] heom moglynges.

1297.  R. Glouc., 50. Ac þer was among hem deol ynow.

1481.  Caxton, Reynard (Arb.), 4. Vsed … emonge marchantes and other comone peple.

1483.  Act 1 Rich. III., i. § 1. Grevous vexacions dailly growen among the King’s Subgiettis.

1535.  Coverdale, 1 Cor. v. 1. There goeth a commen reporte, that there is whordome amonge you.

1611.  Bible, 1 Sam. xvii. 12. The man went among men for an old man in the dayes of Saul.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 131, ¶ 7. I pass among some for a disaffected Person.

1807.  Syd. Smith, Plymley’s Lett., i. Wks. III. 62. To render the military service popular among the Irish.

1877.  Lytteil, Landmarks, III. iv. 118. The strife of ages may have blotted out their remembrances from among men.

  7.  Of the relation of distribution or division to the various partakers: Divided between, in portions to each of, to be shared by severally.

1297.  R. Glouc., 23. Þis lond was deled a þre among þre sones.

c. 1300.  K. Alis., 4677. He nam Daries tresour, And pertid hit among his kynne.

1382.  Wyclif, John vi. 9. What ben thes thingis among so many men?

1611.  Bible, ibid. What are they among so many?

1712.  Addison, Spect., No. 507, ¶ 5. The scandal of a lie … when diffused among several thousand.

Mod.  That leaves five shillings among us.

  8.  Of the relation of joint action to the various actors: By the joint action of.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., V. iv. 19. The man is dead that you and Pistoll beate among you. Ibid. (1599), Much Ado, V. i. 194. You haue among you kill’d a sweet and innocent Ladie.

1869.  Freeman, Norm. Conq., III. xii. 100. His first sojourn at Fécamp, his hermit life, his abbacy at Florence … might well take up 24 years among them.

Mod.  Do it among you.

  9.  Of the relation of reciprocal action between the members of a group.

1340.  Ayenb., 65. Huanne þe dyeuel yziȝþ loue and onynge among uolke.

1535.  Coverdale, John x. 19. Then was there discension amonge the Iewes for these sayenges.

1591.  Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., V. i. 14. That such bloody strife Should reigne among Professors of one Faith.

1682.  Norris, Hierocles, 34. Hence come wars among Relations, treacheries among Friends.

1711.  Addison, Spect., No. 70, ¶ 4. Whether they quarrelled among themselves, or with their neighbours.

1874.  Farrar, Christ, II. 303. The uncertainty as to what He meant carried the disciples once more to questions among themselves.

  B.  adv. [The prep. used ellipt.]

  † 1.  During this (period), meanwhile, all the while, at the same time. Obs.

1250.  Lay., 5110. Þar was gleomenne songe, Þar was piping among.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 88. Of hir to mak bath rim and sang, And luue hir suette sun amang.

c. 1340.  Hampole, Pr. Consc., 3370. Wreth es dedly syn omang, If it be halden in hert lang.

1387.  Trevisa, Higden, Rolls Ser. VII. 7. Elsynus bisshop of Wynchestre evere among fondede to have þe see.

c. 1400.  Court of Love, xi. So than apace I journied forth amonge.

c. 1440.  Morte Arth. (1819), 98. Hys fader dred he euyr among.

c. 1550.  Bale, Johan (1838), 11. I am his gostly father and techear amonge.

1597.  Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., V. iii. 21. Lustie Lads rome heere, and there; So merrily, and euer among so merrily.

1598.  Greenwey, Tacitus Ann., I. xi. 20. Fortune ruled the rest, and some honest men were slaine among.

  † 2.  Betweenwhiles, at intervals, from time to time, now and then. Ever among: every now and then; rarely of place, every here and there. Obs.

a. 1250.  Owl & Night., 6. Sum wile softe, and lud among.

a. 1300.  Floriz & Bl., 431. Floriz siȝte and weop among.

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., IX. 86. Ere amonge ther be Welles wel colde.

c. 1449.  Pecock, Repr., II. xii. 221. He schal seelde among be occupied of us.

1489.  Caxton, Faytes of Armes, I. xiii. 35. By suche a way hath many an oost suffred emonge grete honger.

1567.  Maplet, Greene Forest, 69. To eate Flies, and now & then among to eate crummie and dry earth.

1606.  Holland, Suetonius, 26. Admonishing his soldiers ever and among, to observe and have an ey unto him.

  † 3.  Of place: Together, among something else.

1602.  Warner, Alb. Eng., XI. lxi. (1612), 271. Yeat interlace we shall among the loue of her and him.

a. 1613.  Overbury, A Wife (1638), 67. She travels to and among, and so becomes a woman of good entertainment.

1624.  Bedell, Lett., xi. 143. Here is … some truth mingled among.

  C.  Comb. among-hands (north.): see A 1 b.

1855.  Atkinson, Whitby Gloss., Amang hands, work done conjointly with other things. ‘We can do ’t amang hands,’ or ‘all under one.’