anent

prep

Etymology: From Middle English anent, anentes, anempt (“insofar as, inasmuch as, in comparison with, with respect to, as regards, concerning, in the opinion or judgment of; next to, close to, up to, near, adjoining, across from, over against, facing”), from Old English on efn (“by; near”), from on + efn. Compare Dutch neven, German neben.

1. Concerning, with regard to, about, in respect to, as to, insofar as, inasmuch as, apropos.

   “Mr Bloom and Stephen entered the cabman’s shelter, an unpretentious wooden structure, where, prior to then, he had rarely, if ever, been before; the former having previously whispered to the latter a few hints anent the keeper of it […]”

   “1937, L. Ron Hubbard, letter to Russell Hays, quoted in Literary Correspondence: Letters and Journals, p. 101, I have just found out something with which to repay that very kind favor of yours anent the "lift" angle on stories.”

2. In the opinion or judgment of.
3. Against, in front of, fronting; before; opposite; over against, on the other side.

   “[…] if Painter did ever abide in the old bark mill said to be anent his brother's freehold.”

4. In a line with; side by side with; on a level with.

   “ANENT, opposite. Usually "ovver-anent."”