The difference between About and Astir
When used as adjectives, about means moving around, whereas astir means in motion.
About is also preposition with the meaning: in a circle around.
About is also adverb with the meaning: on all sides.
check bellow for the other definitions of About and Astir
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About as a preposition:
In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
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About as a preposition:
Near; not far from; approximately; regarding time, size, quantity.
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About as a preposition:
On the point or verge of.
Examples:
"the show is about to start; I am not about to admit to your crime"
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About as a preposition:
On one's person; nearby the person.
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About as a preposition:
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
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About as a preposition:
Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.
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About as a preposition:
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
Examples:
"He knew more about what was occurring than anyone."
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About as a preposition (figurative):
In or near, as in mental faculties or in possession of; in control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.
Examples:
"He has his wits about him."
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About as a preposition:
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
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About as an adverb:
Not distant; approximate. On all sides; around. Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost. Near; in the vicinity.
Examples:
"'about as cold;  about as high"
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About as an adverb:
In succession; one after another; in the course of events.
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About as an adverb:
On the move; active; astir.
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About as an adverb (nautical):
To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view. To the opposite tack.
Examples:
"to face about;  to turn oneself about'"
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About as an adverb (obsolete):
Preparing; planning.
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About as an adverb (archaic):
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.
Examples:
"a mile about, and a third of a mile across"
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About as an adverb (chiefly, North America, colloquial):
Going to; on the verge of; intending to.
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About as an adjective:
Moving around; astir.
Examples:
"out and about;  up and about'"
"After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again."
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About as an adjective:
In existence; being in evidence; apparent
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Astir as an adjective:
In motion; characterized by motion.